^^^f.^. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


z 


1.0 


I.I 


■^  Bi    12.2 


It 

Ml   Hii 


•18 


140 


I 


2.0 


1.25  III  1.4 


III 


1.6 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions 


Institut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  historiquas 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  imeges  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checlced  below. 


□    Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  coul^ur 


I      I   Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommagde 


□   Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pelliculAe 


D 


D 


D 


D 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


I      I   Coloured  maps/ 


Cartes  g6ographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (I.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


□   Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

□    Bound  with  other  material/ 
ReliA  avec  d'autres  documents 


D 


Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serrde  peut  causer  de  I'ambre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int6rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouttes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  itait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmies. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sent  peut-6tre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


□   Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□   Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag6es 

I      I   Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 


Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  pelllcul6es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxec 
Pages  d6color6es.  tachet^es  ou  piqudes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtachdes 

Showthroughy 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prin 

Qualiti  in6gale  de  I'impression' 

Includes  supplementary  materia 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppldmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mitnn  disponible 


r~7f  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

r~|  Pages  detached/ 

I      I  Showthrough/ 

l~~|  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

r~^  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I — I  Only  edition  available/ 


0 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmies  A  nouveau  de  fapon  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


□   This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 
Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 


1QX 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

-y 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  off: 

Library, 

Geological  Survey  of  Canada 


L'exemplaire  film6  ffut  reproduit  grAce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Bibliothdque, 

Commission  Gtologique  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Las  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  ia  condition  at 
de  la  nettet^  de  l'exemplaire  ffilmi,  et  en 
confformit6  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimie  sont  film^A  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  termi  'mt  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaltra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  fframes  as 
required.  The  ffollowing  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  il  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

ji      .  II  ■pmnai^ai 


DEPARTMENT  OF  THE  INTERIOR. 


F.  V.  HAYDEN,  U.  S.  GEOLOGIST. 


VNITED  STATES  GEOLOGICAL  SURVEY  OF  THE  TERRITORIES,  ..^-^^^r*  * 


MISCELLANEOUS  PTTBLICATIOTTS,  No.  8. 


\0^  *A 


FUR-BEARING   ANIMALS: 


A   MONOGRAPH 


OF 


North  American  Mdstelidj;, 


IN   WHICH  AN   ACCOUNT  OP 


THE  WOLVERENE,  THE  MARTENS  OR  SABLES,  THE  ERHINE,  THE  MINK 

AND  VARIOUS  OTHER  KINDS  OF  WEASELS,  SEVERAL  SPECIES  OF 

SKUNKS,  THE  BADGER,  THE  LAND  AND  SEA  OTTERS,  AND 

NUMEROUS  EXOTIC  ALLIES  OF  THESE  ANIMALS, 


18  CONTKinUTKD  TO  THB 


HISTORY  OF  NORTH  AMERICAN  MAMMALS. 


BY 


ELLIOTT   COUES, 

CAPTAIN  InD  assistant  SUUdEON  UNITED  STATES  AKMT, 
SECRKTART  ANU  NATURALIST  OF  THB  BUBVET. 


ILLUSTRATED  WITH  SIXTY  FIGURES  ON  TWENTY  PLATES. 


WASHINGTON: 

aOVBENMBNT    PEINTINO    OFFIOB. 

1877. 


»■>     i   ^    >   ' 


ite*'    eoo     o' 


O      (1         1  id 


'  e  *         n  rt  ft  0 


*        *"       .  t  . 


1    o  *  a     p  '  0 


PREFATORY  NOTH 


U.  S.  Geological  and  Geographical 

Survey  of  the  Territories, 
Washington,  B.  C,  July  n,  1877. 

This  treatise  on  Fur-bearing  Animals  of  North  America,  pre- 
pared by  Dr.  Elliott  Coues,  Assistant  Surgeon  United  States 
Army,  at  present  on  duty  with  the  Survey,  is  published  as  a 
specimen  fasciculus  of  a  systematic  History  of  North  American 
Mammals,  upon  which  the  author  has  been  long  engaged. 

In  the  forthcoming  work,  which  will  be  published  by  the 
Survey  as  soon  as  it  can  be  prepared  for  the  press,  it  is  proposed 
to  treat  the  Mammals  of  North  America,  living  and  extinct,  in 
the  same  comprehensive  and  thorough  manner  in  which  the 
single  family  of  the  Mmtelidce  has  been  elaborated. 

The  form  of  the  final  work,  however,  will  necessarily  be  modi- 
fied, in  order  to  bring  the  whole  matter  within  reasonable  com- 
pass, as  well  as  to  adapt  it  more  perfectly  to  the  wants  of  the 
general  public,  which  it  is  designed  to  meet.  The  technical 
and  critical  portions  of  the  treatise  will  be  condensed  as  far  as 
may  be  deemed  compatible  with  itsdistinctively  scientific  charac- 
ter, while  the  aspects  of  the  subject  which  are  of  more  general 
interest,  such  as  the  life-histories  of  the  species  and  the  eco- 
nomic or  other  practical  relations  which  animals  sustain  toward 
man,  will  be  presented  in  ample  detail. 

Other  considerations  have  also  had  weight  with  me  in  de- 
ciding to  publish  this  Monograph  of  the  Mustelida  in  advance 
of  the  general  "History",  and  as  a  separate  volume.  This 
family  of  Mammals  is  one  of  special  interest  and  importance, 
from  an  economic  point  of  view,  as  all  the  species  furnish  valua- 
ble peltries,  some  of  which,  like  Sable,  Ermine,  and  Otter,  are 
in  great  demand ;  while  their  pursuit  is  an  extensive  and  im- 
portant branch  of  our  national  industries. 

It  is  believed  that  the  Monograph  satisfactorily  reflects  the 
present  state  of  our  knowledge  of  these  animals,  and  forma 


III 


5GT% 


mmm 


IV 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


a  desirable  contribution  to  the  literature  of  the  general  subject. 
The  Mustelid(v,  like  most  other  families  of  North  American 
Mammals,  have  not  been  systematically  revised  for  many  years,, 
daring  which  much  new  material,  hitherto  unused,  has  become 
available  for  the  purposes  of  science;  while  the  steady  and 
rapid  progress  of  scientific  inquiry  has  rendered  it  necessary  t» 
reopen  and  discuss  many  questions  in  a  new  light.  The  same 
principles  and  methods  of  study  which  the  author  has  suc- 
cessfully applied  to  the  elucidation  of  the  Rodentia  of  North 
America  have  been  brought  to  bear  upon  the  investigation  of 
the  Miiatelidiv. 

The  Memoir  is  based  upon  specimens  secured  by  the  Survey 
under  my  direction,  together  with  all  the  material  contained 
in  the  National  Museum,  for  the  opportunity  of  examining 
which  the  Survey  acknowledges,  in  this  as  in  other  instances, 
its  indebtedness  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

The  illustrations  of  the  present  volume,  with  few  exceptions,* 
were  engraved  by  Mr.  H.  H.  Nichols,  of  Washington,  from  pho- 
tographs on  wood  made  under  Dr.  Coues's  direction  by  Mr.  T.  W. 
Smillie,  of  Washington.  This  method  of  natural  history  illus- 
tration may  still  be  regarded  in  the  light  of  an  experiment ;  but 
the  cuts  may  be  considered  fine  specimens  of  the  engraver's^ 
art,  when  it  is  remembered  that  photography  gives  no  lines, 
to  be  followed  by  the  graver.  Though  showing  less  detail^ 
particularly  of  the  under  surfaces  of  the  skulls,  than  might 
have  been  secured  by  hand-drawing,  the  cuts  possess  the  merit 
of  absolute  accuracy  of  contour. 

This  opportunity  is  taken  to  reprint,  by  permission,  a  Gironlar  ' 
relating  to  the  proposed  "  History ",  which  was  addressed  by 
Dr.  Coues  to  the  Medical  Staff  of  the  Army,  of  which  he  is  a 
member.  The  Circular  is  sufficiently  explicit  to  require  no  com- 
ment ;  but  I  may  here  express  my  high  appreciation  of  the 
courtesy  with  which  the  wishes  of  the  Survey  have  been  met 
by  the  Surgeon  General  of  the  Army. 

F.  V.  HAYDEN, 
United  States  Qeologiat. 

*  The  several  figures  on  the  electrotype  plate  VI  were  kindly  loaned  by  Mr^ 
£.  A.  Samnele,  of  Boston,  from  the  Massachusetts  Agrioalturol  Report  for  1861. 
The  figures  on  plate  XII  were  drawn  on  wood  by  Mr.  S.  W.  Keen,  of  Waelw 
ingtoD,  from  photographs  furnished  by  Mr.  H.  W.  Parker,  of  the  Agricultural 
College,  Amherst,  Mass. 


'  [Reprinted.] 

WAR  DEPARTMENT, 
SURGEON  GENBKAL'S  OFFICE, 

Washington,  March  31, 1877. 

CIRCULAR  ORDERS,  ) 
No.  1.  S 

The  attention  of  the  Medical  Officers  of  the  Army  is  partioa* 
larly  invited  to  the  following  communication  addressed  to  them 
by  Assistant  Surgeon  Elliott  Ooues,  U.  S.  Army. 

It  is  hoped  that  their  assistance  and  co-operation  will  be 
cheerfully  given  for  the  reasons  stated  and  in  the  manner  indi> 
cated  by  Dr.  CouES. 

Bt  order  of  the  Surgeon  General: 

C.  H.  CRANE, 

Assistant  Surgeon  General^  U.  8.  Army, 

Office  ok  U.  S.  Geoix)Oical  and  Geookaphical  Survey, 

Waahington,  D.  C,  Maroh  13,  1&77. 
To  THE  Medical  Officers  of  the  Army  : 

Medical  Officers  of  the  Army,  and  others  who  may  be  interested  in  the 
matter,  are  respectfally  and  earnestly  invited  to  cooperate  with  the  under- 
8i);ned  in  the  preparation  of  a  worl;  entitled  "History  of  North  American  Mam- 
malt,"  to  be  published  by  the  Government. 

It  is  now  twenty  years  since  the  last  general  work  apon  the  Qaadrnpeds 
of  this  country  appeared.    The  progress  of  our  knowledge  during  this  period 
renders  the  demand  for  a  new  treatise  imperative.    It  is  proposed  to  make 
the  forthcoming  "History"  a  standard  scientific  treatise,  covering  the  whole 
ground,  and  fully  exhibiting  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge  of  the  sub- 
ject.   The  plan  of  the  work  may  be  briefly  indicated ;  its  scope  includes^ 
1.  The  Classification  of  North  American  Mammals  according  to  the  latest 
and  most  approved  views  of  leading  therologists,  including  diagnoses  of 
the  orders,  families,  genera  and  species. 
H.  The  most  acceptable  Nomenclature  of  each  species  and  variety,  with  ex- 
tensive Synonymy. 

3.  The  elaborate  technical  Description  of  each  species  and  variety,  including 

much  anatomical  detail,  especially  respecting  the  skull  and  teeth.      • 

4.  The  Geographical  Distribution  of  the  species — an  important  matter,  con- 

cerning which  much  remains  to  be  learned. 

5.  The  "Life-histories"  of  the  species,  or  an  account,  as  full  and  complete 

as  it  can  be  made,  of  their  habits.    This  is  also  a  matter  reqniriug  niucti 
further  study. 

6.  The  Bibliography  of  the  subject. 

V        ■ 


VI 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MU8TELID.E. 


While  tbu  strictly  aciuntilic  cbarncter  of  the  work  will  bo  iiiiiintained,  tho 
"  life-historieH,"  being  of  general  interest,  will  be  divested  us  fur  as  pussiblo 
of  tecbuicalitit-H,  and  treated  with  u  free  bund,  in  popular  style.  The  author 
has  long  been  engaged  in  gathering  material  for  this  work,  already  fur  ad~ 
vaucetl,  and  hopes  to  publish  at  no  distant  day.  His  resources  and  facilitieH 
for  the  preparation  of  the  defcriptive  and  other  technical  portions  of  tho 
treatite  have  been  ample ;  but  he  has  still,  in  common  with  other  naturalists, 
much  to  learn  respecting  the  Geographical  Distribution  and  Habits  of  North 
American  Mammals.  To  these  points,  therefore,  special  attention  is  invited, 
with  the  expectation  that  much  important  and  valuable  information  may 
be  secured  with  the  assistance  of  Medical  and  other  Orticers  of  tho  Army, 
many  of  whom  enjoy  unusual  facilities  for  ac(iuiring  a  knowledge  of  this 
subject,  and  whose  individual  experiences,  in  many  casen,  represent  a  fund 
of  information  not  yet  on  sciontitic  record,  but  which,  it  is  hoped,  may  now 
be  made  fully  available. 

The  Geographical  Distribution  of  animals  can  be  thoroughly  worked  out 
only  by  means  of  observations  made  at  very  many  different  places.  To  thi* 
end  it  is  desirable  that  lists  should  be  prepared  of  the  various  species  fount! 
in  any  given  locality,  noting  their  relative  abundance  or  scarcity,  times  of 
appearance  and  disappearance,  nature  of  their  customary  resorts,  and  other 
pertinent  particulars.  A  sutlioient  number  of  such  reports,  from  various 
stations,  would  greatly  increase  our  knowledge,  and  render  it  more  precise.. 
It  is  believed  that  the  "  History  of  the  Post,"  as  already  prepared  by  Medi- 
cal Otiicers,  usually  includes  information  of  this  kind,  which,  by  the  permia~ 
sion  of  the  Surgeon  General,  is  made  available  for  the  present  purpose. 

As  a  rule,  the  habits  of  largvr  "game"  animals,  such  as  are  ordinarily  ob- 
jects of  the  chase  for  pleasure  or  protit,  and  of  all  those  which  sustain  obvion* 
economic  relations  with  man,  as  furnishing  food  or  furs,  or  as  committing 
depredations  upon  crops  or  live  stock,  are  the  best  known  ;  yet  there  ia 
nino'ii  to  be  learned  even  respecting  these.  The  habits  of  many  of  the  imatler, 
insigniticaut  or  obscure  species  are  almost  entirely  unknown.  Full  and  ac- 
curate information  respecting  tho  habits  of  the  numerous  species  of  Plares, 
Squirrels,  Shrews,  Moles,  Mice,  Rats,  Bats,  Weasels,  Gophers,  &e.,  is  par- 
ticularly desired.  The  Bats  offer  a  peculiarly  inviting  and  little  explored 
field  of  research.  Among  points  to  which  attention  may  be  directed,  in  any 
case,  are  the  following  : 

Date  and  duration  of  the  rut.  -Period  of  gestation. — Usual  time  of  repro- 
duction.— Number  of  yonng  produced. — Duration  of  lactation. — Care  of  thei 
young,  by  one  or  both  parents. — State  of  monogamy  or  polygamy. — Time* 
of  disappearance  and  re-appearance  of  such  animals  as  are  migratory,  and 
of  such  as  hybernate. — Completeness  or  interruption  of  torpidity. — Time* 
of  changing  pelage,  of  acquiring,  shedding  and  renewing  horns. — Habit* 
connected  with  theae  processes. — Habits  peculiar  to  the  breeding  and  rut- 
ting seasons. — Construction  of  nests,  burrows,  or  other  artiiicial  retreats. — 
Natural  resorts  at  different  seiisons. — Nature  of  food  at  various  seasons ; 
mode  of  procnriug  it;  laying-up  of  supplies;  <|uantity  required. — VariouA 
cries,  of  what  indicative.— Natural  means  of  offense  and  defense,  and  how 
employed. — General  disposition,  traits,  characteristics. — Methods  of  captur- 
ing or  destroying,  of  taming  or  domesticating. — Economic  relations  witU 


(/    :i 


CIRCULAR. 


tn 


man  ;  how  injiiriotiM  or  beneficial,  to  what  extent,  used  for  what  pnrposoH, 
yielding  what  products  of  value. 

Other  pointa  will  doubtless  suggest  theiiiHolveH  to  the  observer.  Anatom- 
ical noteH  of  careful  «liHHOCtionN  of  soft  parts,  particularly  of  the  difjestivo 
and  reproductive  organs,  are  valuable.  Anecdotal  records  of  personal  ex- 
periences possess  at  least  the  interest  which  attaches  to  originality,  and  are 
very  acceptable.  Persous  are  frequently  deterred  from  commuoicating  their 
observations  for  fear  that  what  they  have  to  otf^r  may  not  be  wanted.  This 
is  generally  a  mistake.  In  the  tirst  place,  duplication  of  data  serves  the 
important  purpohe  of  corroborating  and  coiitirmiiig  the  accuracy  of  reports 
furnished,  and  in  all  cases  of  seasonal  phenomena,  which  of  course  vary 
with  latitude,  the  same  observations  may  be  prolitably  repeated  at  different 
stations.  Secondly,  persons  wlio  write  books  are  generally  supposed  to 
know  more  than  they  really  do. 

Specimens  of  common  and  well-known  animals,  especially  if  bulky,  are 
of  course  less  desirable  than  those  of  rare  and  obscure  species ;  but  speci- 
mens of  any  species  securer!  beyond  the  ordinary  geographical  range,  or 
illustrating  unusual  conditions,  such  as  albiuism,  melanism,  or  malforma- 
tions, or  representing  euibryonio  stages  of  growth,  are  always  in  demand. 
Small  dry  parcels  may  be  conveniently  mailed  direct  to  the  undersigned; 
large  packages  should  be  sent  in  accordance  with  Circular  Orders,  No.  2, 
War  Department,  Surgeon  General's.OfHce,  April  13, 1875,  (copy  herewith  [*]), 
or  by  express,  if  the  Quartermivster's  I Jepartmont  cannot  furnish  trauspor- 


11  WA.i4   DKIPARTMICNT', 

Surgeon   General's  Office, 

'  H'lishiiigton,  Jpril  l,\,  1875. 

CIRCULAR  ORDERS, 

No.  2. 

The  following  General  Order  from  the  Adjutant  (jroneral's  OHice  is  pub- 
lished for  the  information  of  Medical  Otlicers  : 


(JrENEKAL  OKDEHH  1 

No.  -19.  ) 


WAR  DEPAUTMENT, 

Adjucant  Gknbkai.'k  OKncK. 

Wanhingtvn,  April  6,  IfiT.I. 


The  Quarteriuaiitur'8  Departiuent  is  iiiithoriKed  to  traii!iport  to  the  Medical  Musiniin  at 
Wasliinjit'jn  such  objects  as  may  bo  turned  over  to  its  otticers  for  that  iiurpuse  at  any 
military  post  or  station  by  the  otticers  of  the  Medical  Department. 

By  0K1>EK  OF  THE  SECKETAHY   Ol'    WaII  : 

E.  D.  TOWNSEXP, 

Adjutant  Qeiural. 

Medical  Officers  in  turning  over  package.s  to  the  Quartermaster's  Depart- 
ment for  transportation  will  take  receipts  in  duplicate,  and  will  forward 
one  of  the  receipts  to  the  Surgeon  General.  All  packages  for  the  Museum 
should  be  plainly  marked  "Surgeon  General,  U.  S.  A.,  Washington,  D.  C," 
with  "Army  Medical  Museum"  inscribed  in  the  lower  left  hand  corner. 

By  okder  ok  the  Sukgeon  Geneimi.  : 

C.  H.  CRANE, 

AHuhlant  Surgeon  (Jenerttl  U.  H,  Army. 


VIII 


NORTH   AMERICAN  MUSTELID^t:. 


tation.  SpeoimenB,  after  examinatioa  by  the  ODdenigued  for  the  parpoae* 
of  the  work  in  hand,  will  be  depoaited,  ia  the  name  of  the  donor,  in  the 
Amy  Medical  Mnaenm,  or  in  the  National  Masanm. 

Printed  instraotions  for  collecting  and  preeerving  specimens  will  be  fnr< 
nlahed  on  application  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution.  Medical  Of  cers 
reeeiviag  this  Circular  are  requested  to  bring  it  to  the  notice  of  others  who 
may  be  interested  in  the  matter,  and  are  cordially  invited  to  open  corre- 
•pondence  with  the  writer  upon  the  subject. 

It  is  proper  to  add,  that,  for  all  information  or  specimens  furnished,  full 
oredit  will  be  given  in  every  instance,  both  in  the  text  of  the  treatise  in 
which  such  material  is  utilized,  and  in  the  records  and  publications  of  the 
Moaeum  in  which  it  is  finally  deposited;  and  that  the  author  will  regard 
cooperation  in  this  work  as  a  personal  favor,  to  be  fully  appreciated  and 
gratefully  acknowledged. 

ELLIOTT  C0UE8, 
Aatktant  Surgton,  U.  S.  Army. 


SUMMARY  OF  CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER    I. 
The  Family  MUSTELIDiE. 

Oeneral  oonsiderationn— Systematic  position  and  relations  of  the  Mtu- 
<e{id<e— Division  into  subfamilies— Schedule  of  the  North  American 
genera— Their  difi'erential  characters — Diagnoses  of  the  North 
American  subfamilies — The  anal  glands  of  MuBtelime—The  fossil 
North  American  species  of  Mustelina — Derivation  and  significa- 
tion of  names  applied  to  Muatelida 


CHAPTER    II. 

Subfamily  MUSTELINE:   The  Wolverene. 

The  genus  G«/o— Generic  characters — Gulo  Iu«cii«,  the  Wolverene — Syn- 
onsrmy  —  Habitat — Specific  characters — Description  of  external 
characters — Measurements— Anal  glands — Description  of  the  skuU 
and  teeth — Measurements  of  skulls,  European  and  American— 
Nomenclature  of  the  species — Relation  of  the  European  and  Ameri- 
can animal— General  history,  geographical  distribution,  and  habits 
of  the  species — Its  distribution  in  the  Old  World 


38 


CHAPTER    III. 
MUSTELINE— Continued:   The  Martens. 

The  genus  JtfM«(eIa  —  Genenc  characters,  &c.  —  Analysis  of  North 
American  species — Mustela  pennanti,  the  Pekan  or  Pennant's  Mar- 
ten—Synonymy—Habitat—Specific characters  —  Description  of 
external  characters — Dimensions  —  Skull  and  vertebrae— General 
history,  habits,  and  geographical  distribution — Interpolated  mat- 
ter relating  to  exotic  species  of  Muntela — M.  martea — Synonymy — 
Description  of  its  skull  and  teeth— if.  /atna— Synonymy — Notes 
on  its  characters  —  M.  zihellina  —  Synonymy  —  Measurements  of 
skulls  of  the  three  species — Comparative  diagnoses  of  M.  martM, 
americaiia,  and  foina — Mustela  americana,  the  American  Sable  or 
Marten  — Synonymy —  Description  and  discussion  of  the  spe- 
cies— Table  of  measu'-'-ments  —  Geographical  variation  in  the 
skull— General  histui         d  habits  of  the  species 

IX 


50 


HBP 


is. 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.C. 


CHAPTEU    IV. 
MUSTELINE.:— Conthuied:   The  Weasels. 

Tho  genus  I'nlnrhix — Gouorio  chiirat'torH  niid  reumrka — DiviHion  of  tlio 
genua  into  suhyoneiii— AnalyMiM  of  tho  North  Aniuricim  Hpeoios — 
Tho  HubtfenuH  Galc—J'utoriun  vuhjarU,  the  Coinnioii  WeaHol — Syu- 
ouyuiy— Habitat— 8pecitic  oharactera — Qcneral  characters  anil  re- 
hitionshipH  of  the  specieH— (leo^iiiphical  diHtributioii — Habits — 
J'utoriua  trniinca, tho  Stoat  or  Erniiue— Synonymy — Habitat — Spe- 
citio  characters— DiscuHsion  of  spocitio  cliaravters  luitl  relation- 
ships— Table  of  mt>a«urenients— Note  on  the  skull  and  teeth — 
Description  of  external  oharactorH — Conditions  of  the  change  of 
color — General  history  and  habits  of  the  species — Its  distribution 
In  tho  Old  World — PutoriuH  huijivuuda,  the  Long-tailed  Weasel — 
Synonymy — Habitat — Specific  characters — Description — Measure- 
ments— General  account  of  the  species — I'litorins  hraHiliensia  fre- 
na1u»,  the  Hi  idled  Weasel — Synonymy — Habitat — Specillc  oharuc- 
tera — General  account  of  tho  species 


97 


^       CHAPTEU  V. 
MUSTELIN.E— Continued:  The  American  Ferret. 

The  subgenus  Vifnomyonar, — Snbgeneric  charack«irs — Putoriua  (  C'»/m«>»m,V(>- 
nax)  nigripvn,  the  American  or  lilack-lboted  Ferret — Synonymy  — 
Specific  characters — Habitat — General  account  of  the  species — Ad- 
i>KNi>UM:  On  the  species  of  the  subgenus  I'uloriuH — /'.  /wliUiii^, 
the  Polecat  or  Fitch — Synonyjny — Uesciiption — I'.  J'atidtiH  vur. 
fnro,  the  Ferret — Synonymy — Remarks — Ferrot  breeding  and 
handling — I'.J'dtitliix  var.  (V<r,^m<iinii,  tiie  Siberian  Polecat — Synon-  . 
ymy — Uenuuks — /'.  Mdimaticut,  the  Spotted  I'olicat — Synonymy 
and  remarks 117 


CUAPTEK  VI. 


t  f  ^. .  i 


MUSTELIN.E— Ccnitiniu'd:  The  :^Iink. 


The  subgenus  Ai(frt.'o/a— Subgenoriir  uhart.'..ters  and  rennirks — I'utoriuii 
v'uon,  the  American  Mink— Synonymy— Habitat — Spetiillc  char- 
■  acters — Desoripti«)n  of  external  characters — Measurements — Vari- 
ation in  external  characters — Variation  in  the  skull — Comparison, 
with  tho  European  Mink — Notice  of  allie«l  Old  World  species,  /'. 
/Htreo/(iand  I',  nibirirun — General  history  and  habits  of  the  Mink — 
"Minkeries" 


lod 


SUMMARY    OF   CONTENTS.  3|| 

.  CHAl'TEU  VIL 

SiiMFAMiLY  MEPHITIN/K:   The  Skunks. 

Qenorul  consideration!) — Crnnial  niul  duutal  chumctorH — The  iinul  itr- 
iimturo — Division  of  tlio  sulit'ainily  into  tjencnv — Noto  t)n  fossil 
North  Anioricun  simcios— TUo  ^enus  McphitiH — Afephitim  mi'phitiai, 
the  Common  Skunk — Synonymy — llabitut— Spoellic  oliitrikuters — 
Description  of  «t\terniil  ohiirnvters — Description  of  Mic  skull  und 
tuoth — Vnriiition  in  the  skdll  with  sp«<ciul  ruferunoe  to  gooi^ruphi- 
cal  distribution — Anatomy  ai\d  physiology  of  tho  anal  glands  an  I 
]>roperties  of  the  secretion — (feograt)hical  distribution  antl  haitits 
of  the  Sknnk— History  of  tho  species — Ai»I)I';ni>1!M  :  On  hydn>pho- 
bia  from  Skunk-bite,  the  so-callud  "  r;ibioH  mephitica  " 1H7 


.      CHAPTKR  VIII. 
^rKPIHTIN.E— Continued:  Skunks.  ■ 

The  genus  .l/»7>/ii/i>,  continued — Mnphilix  macrura,  t\w  T^ong-tailed  Mex- 
ican Skunk — Synonyiiiy — Habitat — Specific  characters — Descrip- 
tion— Tlu^  subgenus  Spiloiialt!—  Mvphitin  {S,<iloyal()  piitoiiuH,  tho 
Iiittle  Striped  Skunk — Synonymy — Habitat — Specific  cliaracters — 
Description  of  external  characters — Description  of  the  skull  and 
teetli — History  of  tho  species — Tho  genus  CinnpatuM — Conepatim 
mapunio,  the  White-backed  Skunk— Synonymy— Habitat — Speci- 
fic characters — Description  of  external  characters — Descripticm  of 
the  skull  aiul  teeth — Description  of  the  anal  ghuuls — (ieographi- 
cn'  distribution  ami  habits 


2'Mi 


CIIAPTKK  IX. 
SunFAMiLY  MELIN^K:  The  IUdgeks. 

The  genus  Tturidm — Oeneric  characters  and  coinparisim  with  Melea— 
Tnxului  tninrianiii,  tho  American  Kadger  —  Symuiymy — Habi- 
tat— Specific  characters — Description  of  external  characters — De- 
scription of  the  skull  and  teeth — (ieographieal  variation  in  the 
skull — History  of  the  American  Madger — Its  geographical  distri- 
butiim — Haluts— 7(jri(/m  rtme/icdaa  ?><r/ttwdicr»,  the  Mexican  IJad- 
giT — Synonymy  —  Habitat—  Subspocilio  character  —  Qeiuiral  re- 
marks—Ai>i>K..Ni>rM  :  Description  of  the  perinieal  glandti  of  the 
European  liadger,  .Vrks  vulijaiia 2C1 


! 


XII    ^  NORTH  AMERICAN  MUSTELIDiG. 

CHAPTER  X. 
Subfamily  LUTEINS :  The  Otters. 

General  considerations — The  genas  Lutra — Generic  characters  and 
remarks— The  North  American  Otter,  Lutra  canadens'u—Syaon- 
ymy — Habitat — Specific  characters— Description  of  external  char- 
acters—Description of  the  skull  and  teeth— Variation  in  the 
skull— History  of  the  species — Geographical  distribution— Habits 
of  Otters — Extinct  species  of  North  American  Otter 293 


CHAPTER  XI. 

Subfamily  ENHYDRIN^:  Sea  Otter. 

General  considerations- The  genas  EnhydrU — Generic  oharaotera — 
Enhydria  lutria,  the  Sea  Otter — Synonymy — Habitat — Specific 
characters — Description  of  external  characters— Description  of 
the  skull  and  teeth — History  of  the  species — "  The  Sea  Otter  and 
its  hunting"— The  habits  of  the  Sea  Otter 325 


!i' 


I,. 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


PLATE   I.— GUU)  LTJ8CU8. 

Skull  from  above,  below,  and  in  profile.     {Reduced.) 

II. — MUSTKLA  PENNANT!. 

Skull  from  above,  below,  and  in  proBle.    {Xatuml  site.) 

III.— MUSTELA  MARTR8. 

Skull  from  above,  below,  and  in  profile.    (Xatural  size.) 

IV.— MUSTRLA   POINA. 

Skull  from  above,  below,  and  in  profile.    (Nalaral  size.) 

v.— MuSTELA  AMERICANA. 

Skull  from  above,  below,  and  in  profile.    (Xatuml  aixe.) 

VI.— PUTORIUS  ERMINEA  and  P.  VUX.GARI8. 

Figs.  1, 3,  .<>,  6,  P.  erminm,  heads  and  tails.     Figs.  2, 4,  P.  vul- 
garis, head  and  tail.    (Natural  size.) 

VII.— PUTORIUS  NIORIPBS. 

Skull  from  above,  below,  and  in  profile.    (Xatural  size. ) 

VIII.— PUTORIUS  F(KTIDU8. 

Skull  from  above,  below,  and  in  profile,    (yatiiral  size.) 

IX.— PUTORIUS  VI80N. 

Skull  from  above,  below,  and  in  profile,    (yatural  size.) 
X.— Mephitis  mephitica. 

Skull  of  ordinary  characters  from  above,  below,  and  in  pro- 
file.   (Natural  size.) 

XI.-Mephitis  mephitica. 

Skull  oflarge  size  from  above,  below,  and  in  profile.    (Natu- 
ral size.) 

XII.  —Mephitis  (Spilogale)  putorius. 

Two  skins,  to  show  the  peculiar  markings.    (Muvh  reduced.) 
XIII.— Mephitis  (Spii-ogale)  putorius. 

Large  old  skull  from  above,  below,  and  in  profile.    (Natural 


size.) 


XIII 


^■e 


ilM 


i   - 


XIV 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


li! 


PLATE  XIV.— Mkphitis  (Simlocjale)  i'utohhts. 

Small  young  sktfll  from  above,  below,  and  ia  prjfi'e.     (Nat- 
ural size.) 

XV. — CONKl'ATUS   MAl'UIUTO. 

Skull  from  above,  below,  aad  ia  profile.    {Natttral  size.) 

XVI.— Taxidka  amkricana. 

SkuU  from  above,  below,  and  in  protile.    (Reduced.) 

XVII. — LiTRA  CANAI>KX!SIS.  .        • 

Skull  from  above,  below,  and  in  profile.    (Natural  nise.} 

XVIII. — Ll  TRA   VULGARIS. 

Skull  from  above,  below,  and  in  profile.    (Salural  size.) 

XIX.— EnIIVDRIS  LUTRI8. 

Skull  from  above  and  below.    (Reduced.) 

XX,— Enhydris  i.utris. 

Skull  in  profile.    (Reduced.)    Palate  and  t:etb.    (Natural  sue.) 


J.     (Nat- 


zc.) 


re.) 
re.) 


ralaize.) 


.H-ji-ui.j..ij^!0»«apwwi 


mmmm 


n  I 


w 


HISTORY 


OF 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELIDJl. 


CnAPTEE    I. 


The  Family  MUSTELID^. 

General  considerations — Systematic  position  and  relations  of  tho  Mustelidce — 
Division  into  subfamilies — Sclieduleof  tho  North  American  genera — Their 
ditf«n'ential  characters — Diagnoses  of  the  North  W^mcrican  subfamilies — 
Tlio  anal  glauds  of  MnstcVnw  —  The  fossil  North  American  species  of 
MustdhHv — Derivation  and  signilication  of  names  applied  to  MtiateUda. 

TniS  is  a  large,  iuiportaut,  and  well-defiued  family  of  Car- 
nivorous Mammals,  embracing  the  Weasels  aud  Martens,  as 
its  typical  representatives,  tbe  Skunks,  Badgers,  Otters,  and  a 
few  other  less  familiar  animals. 

Representatives  of  the  family  exist  in  most  portions  of  the 
globe,  excepting  the  Australiim  region,  home  of  tho  Marsupials 
and  Monotremes.  The  group  reaches  its  highest  development 
in  the  JiTortheru  Hemisphere,  or  Arctogaja,  where  both  the  gen- 
era and  the  species  are  most  numerous  and  diversified.  Some 
twenty  genera  are  recognized  by  modern  authors;  of  these, 
the  genus  Putorius,  including  the  true  Weasels,  has  the  most 
extensive  geographical  distribution  in  both  hemispheres,  and 
contains  by  far  the  largest  number  of  species.  In  one  sense,  it 
is  to  be  considered  as  the  typical  genus  of  the  family.  Many 
of  the  other  genera  consist  of  but  a  single  species,  and  some 
of  them  are  the  sole  representatives,  of  the  subfamilies  to 
which  they  respectively  belong. 

The  economic  importance  of  the  family  may  be  estimated 
from  the  very  high  commercial  value  which  fashion  has  set 
IM  1 


2 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


f  i  ' 


!  i 


M 


upon  the  fur  of  several  of  the  species,  such  as  the  Erinitie,  Sable, 
Nutria,  and  Sea  Otter ;  and  various  other  pelts,  ouly  less  valu- 
able than  these,  are  furnished  by  lueinbors  of  this  fon^ily. 
These  animals  sustain  other  relations  toward  man,  by  no  means 
to  be  overlooked.  The  serious  obstacles  whicii  the  Wolverene 
offers  to  the  pursuit  of  the  more  valuable  fur-bearing  animals 
of  British  America  is  set  forth  in  following  pages;  while  the 
destructiveness  of  such  species  as  the  Mink  and  various  kinds 
of  Weasels  is  well  known  to  the  poulterer.  The  Skunks  are 
infamous  for  the  quality,  familiar  to  every  one,  which  places 
them  among  the  most  offensive  and  revolting  of  animals ;  they 
are,  moreover,  capable  of  causing  one  of  the  most  dreadful  dis- 
eases to  which  the  human  race  is  exposed.  The  cruel  sport 
which  Badgers  have  afforded  from  time  immemorial  has  given 
a  verb  to  the  English  language;  while  the  legitimate  pursuit 
of  various  MusteUAw  is  an  important  and  wide-spread  branch 
of  human  industry.*  The  scientitic  interest  with  which  the 
zoologist,  as  simply  such,  may  regard  this  family  of  animals 
yields  to  those  practical  considerations  of  e very-day  life  which 
render  the  history  of  the  Mustelklw  so  important. 

The  definition  of  the  family  is  strict.  The  zoological  char- 
acters by  which  it  is  distinguished  from  other  Carnivorous  Mam- 
mals are  well  marked;  and  few  if  any  naturalists  of  repute 
differ  in  their  views  respecting  the  limitation  of  the  group.  The 
systematic  position  of  the  family  in  the  Carnivorous  series  seems 
to  be  alsj  settled  by  very  general  consent.  Singular  as  it  may 
seem,  when,  without  considering  intermediate  forms,  we  com- 
pare for  instance  the  diminutive,  slender-bodied,  and  nimible 
Weasels  with  the  great,  heavy-bodied,  and  comparatively  sloth- 
ful Bears,  the  closest  aflBnities  of  the  Musteline  series  are  with 
the  Ursine;  the  next  nearest  are  with  the  Canine;  and  the 
family  Mustclidcv  may  properly  stand  between  the  Canidcv  on 

*  During  the  century,  1769-18G8,  the  Hudsou'B  Bay  Company  sold  at  auc- 
tion in  Loudon,  besides  many  milUon  other  pelts,  the  following  of  Mustelidw : — 
1,240,511  sables,  074,027  otters,  68,694  wolverenes,  1,507,240  minks,  218,653 
skunks,  275,302  badgers,  5,349  sea  otters.  In  1868  alone,  the  company  sold 
(among  many  thousand  others)  106,354  sables,  73,473  miuks,  14,966  otters, 
6,298  skunks,  1,104  wolverenes,  1,551  badgers,  123  sea  otters ;  besides  which 
there  were  also  sold  in  Loudon,  in  the  autumu  of  the  same  year,  about  4,500 
sables,  22,000  otters,  &,e.  Auother  company,  the  Canadian,  sold  in  London, 
during  the  years  1763  to  1839,  the  following:  2,931,383  sables,  29,110  wolver- 
enes, 895,832  otters,  1,080,780  minks. — (Drostk-HOlsiioff,  Der  Zoologhche 
Garten,  1869,  p.  317.) 


POSITION   AND    RELATIONSHIPS   OF   MUSTELID.E.  3 

the  oue  band  and  the  Urshhc  oa  the  other.  In  order  to  give  a 
clear  idea  of  the  poaition  and  relationships  of  the  Mustelkhc,  the 
following  characters*  of  the  higher  groups  of  Mammals  under 
which  the  family  comes  are  given  : — 

Maininals  having  a  brain  with  tho  corohral  hoinisithores  oonuectoil  by  a 
more  or  less  weU-developed  corpua  callosiim  and  a  reduced 
anterior  coimniasiire.  Vnjrina  a  single  tube,  bu*;  sonietinios 
with  a  partial  septum.  Young  retained  within  the  womb  till 
of  considerable  size  and  nearly  perfect  development,  and  deriv- 
ing its  nourishment  from  tho  mother  through  tho  intervention 
of  a  "  placenta"  (developed  from  tho  allantois)  till  birth.  Scro- 
tum never  in  front  of  penis.    .    .    (Subclass)  Iflonodelpllia* 

Brain  with  a  relatively  largo  cerebrum,  behind  overlapping  much  or  all 
of  the  cerebellum,  and  in  front  much  or  all  of  the  olfactory 
lobes;  corpus  callosum  (attypically)  continued  horizontally 
backwards  to  or  beyond  tho  vertical  of  the  hippocampal  suture, 
developing  in  front  a  well-defined  recurved  rostrum. 

(Super-order)  EDUCABILIA. 

Posterior  members  and  pelvis  well  developed  (in  antithesis  with  tho 
Cetaceans  and  Sirenians).  Proximal  segments  of  both  fore 
and  hind  limbs  (upper  arm  and  thigh)  more  or  less  enclosed  in 
tl.o  general  integument  of  the  trunk  (in  antithesis  with  tho 
order  Primates).  Clavicles  rudimentary  or  wanting.  Scaphoid 
and  lunar  bones  of  the  wrist  consolidated  iuto  one  (scapho- 
lunar)  carpal.  Digits  clawed  (not  hoofed).  Teeth  of  three 
I  kinds,  all  enamelled;  incisors  ^][i|  (exceptionally  fewer);  ca- 
nines specialized  and  robust ;  one  or  more  molars  in  each  jaw 
usTially  sectorial.  Brain  without  calcarine  sulcus.  Placenta 
deciduato,  zonary.  (;=The  Caruivora  or  "beasts  of  prey"  of 
ordinary  language.) (Order)  Fkr^. 

Body  elevated  and  adapted  for  progression  on  laud  by  approximately 
equal  development,  freedom,  and  mobility  of  foro  and  hind 
limbs.  Tail  free  from  common  integument  of  body.  Ears 
well  developed.  Functional  digits  terminating  in  claws. 
Digits  of  neither  fore  nor  hind  feet  webbed  to  tho  ends  (ex- 
cepting the  hind  feet  of  Enhydra) ;  inner  digits  of  fore  feet  nob 
produced  beyond  the  rest ;  inner  digits  of  hind  feet  seldom 
thus  produced,  but  often  reduced  or  atrophied.  (All  these  ex- 
pressions in  antithesis  to  the  rinnipedia,  or  suborder  of  the 

Seals.) (Suborder)  FissiPEDiA. 

*  For  which  I  am  principally  indebted  to  Dr.  Theo.  Gill.  (Smithsonian 
Miscellaneous  Collections.  |  —  230  —  |  Arrangement  |  of  the  |  Families  of 
Mammals.  |  With  analytical  tables.  |  Prepared  for  the  Smithsonian  Institu- 
tion. I  By  Theodore  Gill,  M.  D.,  Ph.  D.  |  [Seal.]  |  Washington :  |  Published 
by  tho  Smithsonian  Institution.  |  November,  1872.  |  [8vo.    pp.  i-vi,  1-98.]) 


•^mtoHmmm 


%  NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 

:  Skull  with  the  paroccipital  process  not  closely  appliud  to  the  audi- 
tory bulla;  the  mastoid  process  promiueut  and  projeotiug  out- 
wards or  dowuwards  behind  the  external  auditory  meatus;  ex- 
ternal auditory  meatus  diversiform.  Intestinal  canal  with  no 
Ciecuni.  Prostate  gland  not  salient,  being  coutaiiied  in  the 
thickened  walls  of  the  urethra.  Skull  with  the  carotid  canal 
distinct,  and  more  or  less  in  advance  of  the  foramen  lacerum 
posticum ;  condyloid  foramen  alone  distinct  from  the  foramen 
lacerum  posticum;  glenoid  foramen  generally  well  defined.  Os 
penis  very  large.    Cowpor's  glands  not  developed. 

(Super-family)  Akctoidea. 

True  molars  of  upper  jaw  one  (M-  ^  :  rarely— in  MelUvorino!—^); 
last  premolar  of  upper  jaw  sectorial  (rarely — in  Enhydrince — 
with  blunt  tubercles) (Family)  Muatelidw. 

DIVISION  OF  THE  MUSTELIDiE  INTO  SUBFAMILIES. 

Having  thus,  by  a  process  of  gradual  elimioation  of  the  char- 
acters of  other  groups,  reached  a  family,  Mustelidce^  we  may 
proceed  to  inquire  of  what  subdivisions  the  family  itself  is 
susceptible.  Authors — 3veu  throwing  the  older  writers  out  of 
consideration — differ  greatly  in  their  methods  of  reckoning  the 
subfamilies  and  genera,  the  number  of  subfamilies  recognized 
varying  from  three  or  four  to  eight.  According  to  my  present 
understanding  of  the  subject,  derived  from  my  knowledge  of 
American  forms,  I  am  inclined  to  consider  that,  if  any  sub- 
family divisions  are  to  be  adopted,  regard  for  equivalency,  or 
the  just  coordination  of  the  characters  involved,  requires  a 
larger  number  of  subfamilies  than  have  usually  been  recog- 
nized— very  possibly  the  full  number,  eight,  admitted  by  Dr. 
Gill.  The  excellent  analysis  of  the  family  given  by  this  writer 
(see  p.  3,  note)  is  herewith  presented : — 


XVI.— MUSTELID.E. 

Sub-families. 

I.  Skull  with  the  cerebral  portion  comparatively  compressed  backwards ;  and 
with  the  rostral  portion  comparatively  produced,  attenuated,  and 
transversely  convex  above ;  anteorbital  foramen  small  and  opening 
forwards.  Feet  with  little  developed  or  no  interdigital  membrane 
[and  the  species,  with  few  exceptions,  not  aquatic]. 
A.  Auditory  bulla  much  inflated,  undivided,  bulging,  and  convex  forwards ; 
periotic  region  extending  little  outwards  or  backwards.  Palate 
moderately  emarginated. 


ANALYSIS    OF   SUBFAMILIES   OF   MUSTELIDiE. 


6 


ICTOIDEA. 


1.  Last  molnr  of  upper  jaw  (M  \)  transverse,  (with  the  inner  letljje  in- 

tlatcd  at  its  inuor  angh) ;)  sectorial  tooth  with  a  single  inner  cnsp. 

n.  M  ^  ;  fi  rst  trno  niolnr  (sectorial)  of  lower  jaw  foUowed  by  a  second 
(tubercular)  one.  Toes  short,  regularly  arched,  and  with  the  last 
phalanges  bent  up,  withdrawing  the  claws  into  sheaths.  (Gray.) 
[Martens  and  Weasels.] Mustelin.k. 

h.  M  J ;  first  true  molar  (sectorial)  of  lower  jaw  only  developed.  Toes 
straight,  with  the  last  phalanges  and  claws  extended  ;  the  latter 
non-retractile.   (^rayO  [Extra-limital.]    ....    Meixivouina:. 

2.  Last  molar  of  upper  jaw  (M  1)  enlarged  and  more  or  less  extended 

longitudinally. — M-^-.  Toes  straight,  with  the  last  phalanges  and 
cliiws    extended;   the    latter    non-retractile.    (Gray.)    [Badgers.] 

Memx;»:. 

B.  Auditory  bulla  elongated  and  extending  backwards  close  to  the  par- 

occipital  process.    (Flower.)    I'alate  moderately  cmargiuated. 
I.  Last  molar  of  upper  jaw  (M  ]  )  transverse;  (with  the  inner  ledge  nar- 
rowed inwards):  sectorial  tooth  with  two  inner  cusps.    [Extra-lim- 
ital.]     IIeuctidin-k. 

C .  Auditory  bulla  inllatod,  undivided,  with  the  anterior  inferior  extremity 

pointed  and  commonly  united  to  the  prolonged  hamular  process  of 
the  pterygoid.    (Flower.)    Palato  moderately  emarginated. 
1.  Last  molar  of  upper  jaw  (M  \)  transverse ;  (with  the  inner  ledge  com- 
pressed.)   [Extra-limital.] Zohillin.k. 

D.  Auditory  bulla  little   inflated,  transversely  constricted  behind  the 

meatus  auditorins  extornua  and  thence  inwards ;  in  front  flattened 
forwards;  periotic  region  expanded  outwards  and  backwards.  Pal- 
ate deeply  emarginated. 
1.  Last  molar  of  upper  jaw  (M  ?)  quadrangular,  wide,  but  with  an  ex- 
tended outer  incisorial  ledge.  [Skunks.]  ....  Mephitinje. 
II.  Skull  with  the  cerebral  portion  swollen  backwards  and  outwards; 
and  with  tho  rostral  portion  abbreviated,  high  and  truncated  for- 
wards, and  widened  and  depressed  above;  anteorbital  foramen 
enlarged  and  produced  downwards  and  backwards.  Feet  with 
well-developed  interdigital  membrane,  and  adapted  for  swimming. 
[The  species  highly  aquatic,  one  of  them  marine.] 

A.  Teeth  normal,  36  (M  ^,  PM  ^,  C  |,  I  -|  X  2) :  sectorial  tooth  (PM  4) 

normal,  efficient,  with  an  expanded  inner  ledge;  the  other  molars 
submusteline.    Posterior  feet  with  normally  long  digits.    [Otters.] 

Ll-'TKIJI^. 

B.  Teeth  very  aberrant,  32  (M  ^,  PM  g-,  C  j,  1 1 — the  lower  inner  incisors 

being  lost  —  X  2) :  sectorial  tooth  (PM  f )  defunctionalized  as  such, 
compressed  from  before  backwards;  the  other  molars  also  with 
blunted  cusps.    Posterior  feet  with  elongated  digits.    [Sea  Otter.] 

.;      ■  ^...  -    ,■■.  Enhydrinje. 

Of  the  foregoing  eight  subfamilies,  three,  namely,  the  Melli- 
vorince,  HelictidinfVf  and  Zorilliiuc,  each  of  which  consists  of  a 
single  genus,  are  confined  to  the  Old  World.  No  one  of  the 
subfamilies  is  peculiar  to  North  America ;  but  the  MephitinWy 


6 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTEIJU.!:. 


or  Skunks,  are  not  found  in  the  Old  WorM,  where  they  are 
represented  by  the  African  ZorilHiia';  they  occur  in  South  as 
well  as  North  America.  The  MeJinw,  or  Badgers,  are  common 
to  North  and  Middle  America  and  the  Eastern  Hemisphere, 
but  do  not  occur  in  South  America.  Tlie  Sea  Otter,  sole  repre- 
sentative of  the  Enhydrincv,  inhabits  both  coasts  of  the  North 
Pacific.  The  LxUrinw^  or  ordinary  Otters,  are  of  general  dis- 
tribution in  both  hemispheres.  The  MnstcUna\  or  true  Weasels, 
Martens,  &c.,  are  of  very  general  distribution,  as  already  indi- 
cated; such  is  especially  the  case  with  the  typical  genus  Pato- 
tills.  The  genera  Mustela  and  Oulo  chiefly  inhabit  the  higher 
latitudes;  Galictis  is  peculiar  to  South  America. 

The  North  American  forms  of  the  family  down  to  the  genera 
are  exhibited  in  the  following  synoptical  table ; — 

Subclasa  MonodclpUia, 

Super-order  EducahiUa. 
Order  Ferw, 

Suborder  Fissipedia, 

Suj)er-family  Arctoidea,  « 

Family  Mustelidw. 

Subfamily  Mustdince. 

Geuera  Gulo.    (The  Wolvoroue.) 
Mustela.    (The  Martens.) 
Putoritia. 
Subfamily  Mephitinai. 
Genera  Mephitis. 
Sjniogale. 
Conejmlus, 
Subfamily  Melina:    (The  liadgers.) 

Genus  Taxidea. 
Subfamily  Lutrina.    (The  Otters.) 

Genus  Lutra. 
Subfamily  £n%driw«!.    (The  Sea  Otter.) 
•  '  Genus  Enhydra. 


(The  Weasels.) 
(The  Skunks.) 


ANALYSIS    OF    GENKKA    OF    MUSTELID;!-: 


SCnEDITLE  or   DIFFERENTIAL    CHARACTERS    OF    THE    NORTH 

AMERICAN  GENERA. 

VariouH  characters  hij  which  the  siih/amlliefi  anil  genera  are  differentiated  are  ex- 
hibited in  the  foUnwing  Hv)iednle:— 


MuHtolldiD. 


Duntal  fdrnnila:  I. 


3-3 


3-3' 


I..1 


3-3 


3-3' 


I..; 


8-3 


3-3' 


C. 


C. 


C. 


Pin. 


M. 


I;; 


3-3 


3-3- 

3-3 

•8-2' 


1-1 

i-i- 

1-1 
l-i' 
1-1 
1-1' 
1-1 

8-a-  18  *"■ 

l-l 

1-1' 

l-l 

l-l- 


4-4 

4-4' 
3-3 
3-3- 


M. 


Pm.  rrT„   M, 

Pm. 
14 


,=34. 


c.  :- 


C.   T 


Pm. 


M. 


M.  zr, 


1-1 

3-3= 

1-1 

a-3- 


1^8 

16 
ic' 


36. 


3S. 


i-i_ia_ 

1-116 
3-2-18 

•normally  j^,  som.  times  ^i 

16 

j^=32oi  34 , 

Pm.  3:33. 

3-3 
3-3' 

PM.  and  M.  normnl— angular,  trenchnnt<  or  acute 

abuorinni— roiindetl,  blunt,  tuberculoun , 

liaok  upper  M.  qiiadrati',  tranaverae,  niucli  wider  than  long 

about  as  wide  aalong 

trianKuInr,  tho  liypotbenuso  poRtero-extt^rior 

irri'giilnrl.voval;'all  corners  rounded  off... 

Back  upper  Pm.  strictly  sectorial,  linear,  with  small  anterior  interior 

cnsp 

I                                                           triangular,  o'winj;  tosize  of  the  in- 
ner ledge.  

reaenibling  the  back  upper  M 

Upper  Pm.  4-4,  the  anterior  one  comparativoiy  well  developed 

*  minute,  crowded  out  of  line 

3-3,  tho  anterior  one  comparatively  well  develoixjd 

or  3-2;  whou  3-3,  the  anterior  very  minute , 

Lower  1. 3-3,  the  usual  carnivorous  formula 

2-3,  the  inner  pair  lacking 

Lower  sectorial  without  obvious  inner  tubercle  of  middle  lobe 

with  slight  but  evident  inner  tubercle 

with  str(»ngly  developed  inner  tubercle 

nostrum  of  skull  so  short  that  root  of  zygcmia  is  nearly  or  quite  op- 
posite fore  end  of  nasal  bones 

moderately  produced :  root  of  zygoma  more  nearly 

.  opposite  hind  end  of  nasals 

Brain-case  comparatively  compressed  backward,  little  broader  be- 
hind than  before,  with  straightish  or  little  convex 

lateral  outline 

widened  backward,  with  quite  straight  lateral  outlines., 
much  widi'iied  backwards  and  swollen  outward,  with  very 

convex  lateral  outlines 

Frontal  region  very  short,  broad,  flat  on  top 

longtlieued,  narrowed,  very  convex  transversely 

Bony  palate  ending  o)>po8ite  back  upper  molars 

produced  back  of  the  molars,  but  not  Lalf-way  to  end 

of  pterygoids 

produced  far  back  ot  the  molars— half-way  or  more  ♦" 

ends  of  pterygoids 

Postorbital  processes  moderate,  slight  or  obsolete 

strong,  transverse,  acute 

Anteorbital  foramen  bounded  above  by  slender  maxillary  process, 
large,  subtriangular,  or  oval,  presenting  downward-forward 


a 


.a 


S 


I 


I 


8  NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 

Schedule  of  diffetrntial  eh(tr((ctcra  of  the  .Voc/Zi  .tmcncaii  grnera — CoutiuiUHl. 


Aliiatttliilin. 


9 


im 


i  S 


Antporliitiil  foi'iiincii  botiniloil  by  8totit  procoHs,  pn>si>iit.iiij»  nioro  or 

loBH  vtM'ticdUy 

Aporturoof  iniros  in  two  pliiiioH,  iipproiichinntlio  vortical  ttutlliori- 

zoiitnl 

ono  pliiiio,  or  Hourly  so,  moro  or  loss  obliquo. . . 
Auditory  biillm  at  iimxiniiini  of  iiitlatiiiii,  with  sliortost  niul  loiist 

tubular  uioiitus 

iiiuoli  iiitlikloti,  with    inoilurntu  coustrictiou   into 

tbo  tubulnr  nu^ittus 

littlo  iiittatod,  n)U(^b  oonstriclod  across  tho  moiitiis 

Mastoids  littlo  tlovolopod,  outwartl  or  l)aukward  

nioro  dovolo|iod,  outward 

luucli  dovelopod,  downward 

I*orlotic  ro^ion  ouiitractud,  brin^iuK  parocoipitala  oloso  to  auditory 

bulliu '.. 

oxpandotl,  ronioviun  paroucipltals  from  biillii>,  and 

horizontal 

oxpandod,  ronntving  paroucipltals  from  bullio,  .-ory 

oldiiino 

Qlonoid  fossae  shallow,  open,  without  antorior  lotlgo,  nrosontiiiK  nioro 

forwnrtl  than  ilownward,  novor  locking  oouirylos. .. 

motloratoly  dt>op  and  closo,  with  antorior  lod^o  pro- 

sontiug   downward-furwai'd,  never   locking    con- 

dy  li>8 

very  doop  and  closo,  with  stront;  anterior  and  pos- 
terior ledftes,  sometbnes  locking  condyles 

Coronoid  proooss  of  ,jaw  in  protllo  conical,  erect,  apex  forward  of 

condylo 

obtusely  falcate,  sloning,  apex 

uverlianKUiK  condyle 

Lower  border  of  jaw  stralKhtisb  from  symphysis  to  posterior  rtngle 

usually  aaeeudiii);  posteriorly,    in 

straiKbt  or  concave  lino 

Toes  scarcely  or  not  webbed,  with  ordinary  ratio  of  louKths 

fully  webbed,  with  onlinary  ratio  of  lengths 

those  of  tlio  liind  feet  elonKatod,  with  extraordi- 
nary ratio  of  lengtlis 

Fore  claws  lone,  stout,  littlo  curved,  biKbly  fossorlal  

nioderato  or  short,  curved  and  acute,  not  fossorial 

Body  very  stout;  si/.o  very  largo;  tail  bushy,  short i  appearance 

s(uuewhat  t>oar'  like 

rather  slender  or  extremely  so ;  size  medium  and  email  ;  tall 

long,  tereto 

stout  i  size  medium  and  small ;  tail  long,  very  bushy 

stout,  much  dopressed;  sizo  medium  ;  tail  short,  distichous... 
stout,  cylindrical ;  sizo  large ;  tail  long,  conical,  closo-liaircd. . 

Habits  ohieHy  terrestrial 

terrestrial  and  highly  arboreal 

strictly  torrestriar and  more  or  less  fossorial 

aquatic  (tluviatile,  lacustrine,  or  maritime) 

aiiuatio  (marine) 


i  !*  " 

-  Is  i 

■ill.  I 

'  r.  ,^ 


3 


X     X 


Such  a  table  a8  this  might  be  indefinitely  continued,  but  the 
foregoing  analysis  of  leading  ditForontial  characters  sufllces  for 
present  purposes. 


\: 


DIAGNOSES    OF    NORTH    AMERICAN    SUBFAMILIES. 


9 


Wo  may  iiiuilly  sum  uiul  amplify  the  (litioreiitial  characters 
of  tlio  forogoing  tablu,  with  others,  in  tlie  foUowing  expressions, 
tUagnostie  of  the  live  subfamilies  here  adopted  : — 

DIAGNOSES  OF  TUE  FIVE  NOUTII   AMERICAN  SUIIFAMILIES. 


1.  ^lusTELiN.!']. — Teeth  of  ordinary  Carnivorous  pattern,  3S 
or  34  in  number,  accordiuy;  to  varying  number  of  premolars, 
whether  *^^  (Qulo,  Mustcla)  or  y^;j(ZV/or/««);  the  number  unequal 
in  the  two  Jaws,  !,^or  J-|J;  incisors  constantly  f^)  canines  Y.\,  iisiu 
all  ^r"stclid(v;  and  molars  *'',  as  in  all  Mustelidw  excepting  Mel- 
liroiina:  Molar  of  upper  jaw  much  \\iderthan  long;  its  long 
axis  transverse  to  the  axis  of  the  dental  scries,  longitudinally 
constricted  across  the  middle.  Posterior  upper  i>reniolar  (the 
large  "sectorial"  tooth)  narrow  and  linear,  with  a  small  dis- 
tinct spur  projecting  inward  from  its  antorointerior  corner, 
liostral  partof  skull  moderately  produced,  sloping  in  profile,  very 
obliquely  truncated,  transversely  convex,  the  hind  endsof  the  na- 
sals more  nearly  opposite  the  roots  of  the  zygoma  than  their  fore 
ends  are.*  Cerebral  portion  of  skull  comparatively  compressed 
backward,  little  broader  behind  than  before,  with  moderately 
convex  lateral  outlines.  Postorbital  processes  moderately 
developed.  Anteorbital  foramen  small,  oval  or  subcircular, 
presenting  upward  forward  {Gulo)  or  more  or  less  downward 
forward  {Mustcla,  Putorius).  Posterior  uares  thrown  into  one 
common  conduit  by  absence  of  bony  septum.  Bony  palate  pro- 
duced far  back  of  molars, — half-way  (more  or  less)  to  ends  of 
pterygoids;  interpterygoid  space  longer  than  wide.  Audi- 
tory bullic  much  intlated,  with  moderate  constriction  of  the 
tubular  meatus.t  Little  or  no  expansion  of  periotic  region 
behind  the  buUiB,  with  which  the  paroccipitals  appear  in  contact. 
jNCastoids  little  developed,  presenting  outward  or  backward. 
Glenoid  fossie  shallow,  the  anterior  ledge  slight ;  condyles  never 
locked.  Coronoid  proces::  of  mandible  erect,  conical  in  profile, 
the  posterior  outline  with  forward  upward  obliquity  {MusteUij 
rutoriusy — more  nearly  vertical  in  Oulo),  the  apox  in  advance 
of  the  condyle.    Feet  with  ordinary  development  and  ratio  of 

*  It  iH  curious  to  obnurvo  that  an  a<]|uatio  Hpocios  of  I'tttoriua  (/'.  t'i'Mon,tho 
Mink)  tonils  to  approach  the  aquatic  Ottorn  {Liitrinw  aud  Unhydrinw)  lu  tho 
rehitivo  ahortiioas  of  rostriiii,  iti  loss  obliquo  trunuation,  tlatnooaoa  top,  t&.o, 

tllcro  agaiu  tho  aiiuatic  Pitloriun  riaon  approacheu  tho  other  aquutiu 
Hpeciu8  of  (litVorutit  subfainilioH  iu  tho  uouiparativu  IliitiicHa  of  the  buHie. 


1 «;  I ,  ?■ 


10 


NORTH  AMERICAN    MUSTELID^E. 


li 


iii 


HI. 


digits  ;  digits  incompletely  oi'  not  webbed.  External  appear- 
ance and  habits  variable,  according  to  the  genera  and  species, 
none  strictly  fossorial ;  progression  digitigrade  and  subplanti- 
grade  ;  size  from  nearly  the  maximnm  to  the  minimum  in  the 
family ;  body  never  much  depressed,  nor  tail  conical  or  distich- 
ous. Periiueal  glands  moderately  developed.  No  peculiar  sub- 
caudal  pouch.    Nature  highly  predacious. 

2.  MEPHiTiNiG. — Teeth  of  ordinary  Carnivorous  patteru,  34 
or  32  in  number,  according  to  varying  number  of  premolars, 
whether  ^  {McpMiis  and  Sjnlof/ale)  or  indifferently  ^  or  — 
{Conepattts);  the  number  unequal  in  the  two  jaws,  ]"  or  ~.  In- 
cisors, canines,  and  molars  as  in  the  last  subfamily.  Molar  of 
upper  jaw  quadrate,  about  as  wide  as  long  (varying  in  detail 
with  the  genera).  Posterior  upper  premolar  with  a  large  inner 
shelf,  giving  a  triangular  shape  to  the  tooth.  Kostral  part  of 
skull  moderately  produced,  and  otherwise  much  as  in  the  last 
(aperture  of  nares  very  oblique  in  Conepatus);  cerebral  portion 
as  in  Miistelinic.  Postorbital  processes  slight  or  obsolete.  An- 
teorbital  foramen  very  small,  circular,  sometimes  subdivided 
into  two  or  more  canals.  Posterior  nares  completely  separated 
by  a  bony  septum  reaching  to  the  end  of  the  bony  palate. 
Bony  palate  ending  opposite  last  molars  {Mepliitis,  Spilogale) 
or  a  little  back  of  them,  but  not  half-way  to  ends  of  pterygoids, 
(Conepatus).  Auditory  bullae  little  inflated,  with  much  constric- 
tion of  the  tubular  meatus.  Mastoids  well  developed,  outward. 
Periotic  region  flattened  and  expansive  behind  the  bullae,  the 
surface  nearly  horizontal,  the  paroccipitals  remote  from  the 
bullre.  Glenoid  shallow,  presenting  much  forward  as  well  as 
downward,  without  anterior  wall,  never  locking  condyle.  Coro- 
noid  process  of  jaw  conical  in  profile,  erect,  wholly  in  advance 
of  condyle  (except  in  Conepatus,  which,  in  this  respect,  singularly 
resembles  Enliydra).  Feet  with  ordinary  development  and  ratio 
of  digits;  digits  not  webbed.  Form  stout;  tail  very  bushy; 
pelage  long;  colors  black  and  white.  Habits  strictly  terrestrial, 
more  or  less  fossorial;  progression  plantigrade;  movements 
slow.  Size  moderate  and  small.  No  peculiar  subcaudal  pouch. 
Perinseal  glands  extraordinarily  developed,  affording  a  means 
of  offence  and  defence. 

3.  Melin-^.* — Teeth  of  ordinary  Carnivorous  pattern,  34  in 

*  The  charactors  here  given  are  drawn  entirely  from  the  American  genus 
Taxidea,  and  will  require  modilication  in  order  to  their  applicability  to  the 
subfamily  at  large. 


•11 


M 


DIAGNOSES    OF   NORTH    AMERICAN    SUBFAMILIES.        11 


number  (in  the  North  American  genus);  Pm.  gj ;  the  number 
unequal  in  the  two  jaws,  J|;  incisors, canines,  and  mohars  as  in 
the  last.  Molar  of  upper  jaw  triangular,  the  long  side  postero- 
exterior.  Posterior  upper  premolar  substai'tially  as  in  Mephitince. 
Rostral  portion  of  skull  as  in  the  foregoinnr-  cerebral  portion 
conical,  rapidly  widening  backward,  with  nearly  straight  lateral 
outlines.  Postorbital  processes  moderately  well  developed. 
Anteorbital  foramen  large,  subtriangular,  presenting  vertically. 
Posterior  nares  as  in  Mephitina'.  Bony  palate  produced  back 
of  the  molars,  as  in  Mustelime.  Auditory  bullae  very  highly 
inflated,  with  little  constriction  across  the  short  tubular  portion. 
Periotic  region  much  as  in  Mtistelinfc,  the  paroccipitals  close  to 
the  enormous  buUoe.  Mastoids  moderately  developed,  outward. 
Glenoid  fossa  very  deep,  with  prominent  anterior  as  well  as 
posterior  walls,  at  length  locking  in  the  condyle.  Ooronoid 
process  as  in  the  foregoing.  Feet  with  ordinary  development 
and  ratio  of  digits,  not  webbed.  Body  stout,  extremely  de- 
pressed ;  tail  short,  stout,  flattened ;  size  medium ;  snout  some- 
what hog-like.  Progression  plantigrade.  Terrestrial  and  highly 
fossorial ;  fore  claws  highly  developed.  Perinseal  glands  mod- 
erately developed.    A  peculiar  subcaudal  pouch. 

4.  LuTRiN-^. — Teeth  of  ordinary  Carnivorous  pattern,  36  in 
number;  Pm.  ^;  the  number  equal  in  the  two  jaws,  1^;  incisors, 
canines,  and  molars  as  before.  Molar  of  upper  jaw  quadrate. 
Back  upper  premolar  substantially  as  in  Mephitimc  and  Melimc. 
Kostral  i)art  of  skull  extremely  short,  bringing  the  fore  ends 
of  the  nasals  nearly  or  quite  opposite  the  anterior  root  of  the 
zygoma,  the  sides  of  the  rostrum  erect,  tlio  top  flat.  Cerebral 
portion  of  the  skull  much  swollen  backward,  with  strongly  convex 
lateral  outlines.  Postorbital  processes  variable  (highly  devel- 
oped in  the  North  American  species,  slight  or  wanting  in  some 
others).  Anteorbital  foramen  very  large,  presenting  obliquely 
downward  as  well  as  forward,  circumscribed  above  by  a  very 
slender  maxillary  process.  Posterior  nares  as  in  Mustelincc. 
Bony  palate  produced  far  back  of  molars.  Auditory  bulla?  very 
flat.  Periotic  region  expanded,  removing  the  paroccipitals  from 
the  bullsB,  but  the  surface  not  horizontal  as  in  Mephitimc,  but 
very  oblique.  Mastoids  highly  developed,  downward.  Glenoid 
much  as  in  Melinw,  deep,  sometimes  locking  condyle.  Coronoid 
as  in  the  foregoing.  Feet  with  ordinary  development  and  rat' 
of  digits,  which  are  fully  webbed.  Claws  variable,  sometime 
rudimentary  or  wanting.    Body  stout,  but  elongate  and  cylin- 


12 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID.E. 


:;■ 


'in 


drical;  tail  long,  conical,  tapering,  sometimes  dilated,  close- 
Laired;  mnzzle  very  obtuse.  Highly  aquatic  in  habits.  Pelage 
^vhole-col'      1. 

5.  Eni  iiiNiE. — Teeth  very  aberrant  in  general  pattern,  the 
molars  rua  premolars  without  trenchant  edges  or  acute  angles, 
but  tuberculous,  32  in  number,  and  of  equal  number  in  both 
jaws,  brought  about  by  incisors  —^  and  premolars  g"^,  the  ca- 
nines and  molars  remaining  as  before.  Molar  of  upper  jaw  irreg- 
ularly oval ;  back  upper  premolar  defunctionalized  as  a  "  sec- 
torial" tooth,  and  substantially  similar  to  the  molar.  Propor- 
tions of  rostral  and  cerebral  parts  of  the  skull  substantially  as 
in  Lutrina\  but  rather  an  exaggeration  of  that  conformation. 
Postorbital  processes  moderate.  Anteorbital  foramen  very 
large,  triangular,  presenting  downward  and  forward;  the  bridge 
over  it  very  slender.  Posterior  nares  as  in  Liitrinw.  Palate 
produced  far  back  of  molars ;  iuterpterygoid  space  very  wide, 
the  emargination  rather  wider  than  deep.  Auditory  bulhne, 
periotic  region,  mastoids,  and  glenoids  as  in  Lutrimv.  Coronoid 
sloping  backward,  obtusely  falcate,  its  apex  overtopping  con- 
dyle. Hind  feet  with  extraordinary  development  and  ratio  of 
digits,  being  transformed  into  Seal-like  flippers ;  otherwise  gen- 
eral configuration  and  external  appearance  substantially  as  in 
Liitrina'.    Highly  aquatic  and  marine. 


ON  THE  ODORIFEROUS  ANAL  GLANDS  OF  THE  MUSTELIDiE. 


mm 


Throughout  this  family  of  Carnivores  are  found  special  secre- 
tory apparatus  in  the  perinseal  region,  which  furnish  a  strongly 
odorous  fluid.  These  glands  are  so  highly  developed,  and  play 
such  a  part  in  the  economy  of  the  animals,  that  special  notice 
is  to  be  taken  of  them.  A  classification  of  the  Mustelidce  has 
even  been  proposed,  based  chiefly  upon  their  modifications  in 
the  different  genera.  They  early  attracted  attention,  and  have 
long  been  generally  known  to  zoologists.  Quite  recently  a 
French  anatomist,  M.  Ghatin,  has  made  them  a  special  study, 
publishing  a  very  important  and  interesting  paper  upon  the 
subject.*  This  paper,  so  .far  as  it  relates  to  the  Mustelidw  (for 
the  author  has  studied  the  odorous  anal  glands  of  various  other 
animals),  I  have  translated  for  incorporation  with  the  present 
work  ;  under  heads  of  the  several  species  beyond  will  be  found 

*  Recherchos  pour  servir  d,  I'histoire  aiiatoiniqiiedes  glaudos  odorautea  dea 
matuniif^res.  Par  M.-J.  Chatiu.  <^Annale8  des  Sciences  Naturellea,  5"  sdr,, 
tome  xix,  pp.  1-135,  plaucbes  i-ix,  1874. 


ANAL   GLANDS    IN    MUSTELID^. 


13 


the  matter  relating  to  them.  Here  I  introduce  M.  Chatin's  de- 
scriptious  of  the  parts  as  they  appear  in  Mustela  foina,  for  the 
same  type  of  structure  obtains  throughout  the  subfamily  Mtis- 
telinw.  I  also  bring  in  the  author  s  resume  of  the  several  mod- 
ifications of  structure  found  in  the  family  at  large,  with  extracts 
from  his  proposed  classifloation  of  the  family,  as  based  prima- 
rily upon  theso  organs,  though  I  should  add  that  I  do  not 
indorse  his  views  without  qualification. 

1. — Description  of  the  glands  in  Mustela  foina,  as  illustrating 
their  structure  throughout  the  subfamily  Mustelina:* 

The  anal  glandular  apparatus  being  essentially  the  same 
throughout  the  Mustelinw,  the  following  description  of  the  parts 
as  they  appear  in  Mustela  foina  will  suffice  : — 

The  anal  orifice  is  found  at  the  bottom  of  a  fossa  covered 
with  thin,  smooth,  whitish  integument,  with  a  slightly  raised 
border,  the  rudiment  of  a  fold  which  is  much  more  highly  de- 
veloped in  the  Skunk.  At  each  side  of  this  fossa,  in  a  small 
special  depression,  in  front  of  which  this  fold  lies,  is  found  an 
unibilicated  papilla,  through  the  narrow  orifice  of  which  the 
milky-whitish  secretion  of  the  anal  gland  exudes.  Within  the 
perimeum  are  two  lateral  masses,  each  as  large  as  a  small  bean, 
bound  together  by  one  muscular  envelope.  The  anal  gland  is 
11  millimetres  long  and  G  across  the  middle.  Upon  removal  of 
the  muscular  coat,  which  is  rather  delicate,  the  secretory  part 
comes  into  view ;  its  exterior  is  studded  with  nipple-like  emi- 
nences ;  its  substance  is  like  that  of  the  anal  glands  of  most 
Carnivores.  The  parenchymatous  tissue  mainly  consists  of  lam- 
inated fibres,  elastic  fibres,  nerve  tubes,  and  capillaries ;  the 
striped  muscular  fibres  do  not  penetrate  the  substance  of 
the  organ.  The  culs-de-sac  are  of  an  average  diameter  of  0.04 
millimetre ;  they  are  sometimes  varicose  or  raoniliform,  and  in- 
close a  granular  substance.  In  the  middle  of  the  gland  is  a 
small  receptacle  ior  the  product  of  secretion,  which  is  voided 
through  a  sho^c  duct  opening  on  the  e<lge  of  the  anus,  as  above 
said. 

It  seems  improbable  that  a  scanty  supply  of  merely  disa- 
greeably musky  liquid  can  effectively  answer  in  any  way  as  a 
means  of  defence.  The  simple  fact  that  it  does  not  appear  to 
be  repugnant  to  the  animals  which  may  be  supposed  inimical 

*  For  the  inoditications  of  the  structure  of  the  organs  in  Skunks  and  Badg- 
ers, see  subfamilies  Mephitinw  and  Melinw. 


r 


Ihi 


14 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELID^E. 


m.[ 


to  Martens  and  Weasels,  is  sufficient  to  invalidate  such  a 
hypothesis.  It  is  true  that  it  is  emitted  when  the  animals  are 
angered,  terrified,  or  put  in  pain  ;  but  these  are  merely  circum- 
stances of  irritation  akin  in  many  respects  to  other  forms  of 
excitement.  It  is  more  probable  that  the  secretion  subserves 
a  purpose  in  the  sexual  relation,  as  it  is  undeniably  a  means 
whereby  the  sexes  may  discover  and  be  attracted  toward  each 
other. 

2. — Resume  of  the  several  types  of  structure  of  the  odoriferous 

glands  in  Mustelidw. 

The  Ferrets  and  Martens  exhibit  one  general  plan  of  struct- 
ure of  the  anal  glands.  At  each  side  of  the  termination  of 
the  rectum,  there  is  an  oval  body  consisting  of  a  tunic  of  mus- 
cular striped  fibres  enveloping  a  mass  of  glands,  in  the  midst 
of  which  is  a  receptacle  of  variable  capacity,  containing  a  liq- 
uid differing  little  in  its  properties,  which  is  poured  out  through 
a  short  duct  opening  upon  a  pore  at  each  side  of  the  anus. 

In  the  Badgers,  Skunks,  and  Katels,  there  are  decided  mod- 
ifications of  this  plan.  In  the  last  two  named,  the  true  anal 
glands  alone  exist,  and  these  are  quite  diiferent  from  those  of 
t\\^  Mustelincc.  Instead  of  a  thin  and  simple  muscular  envel- 
ope of  the  gland,  we  find  a  thick  fleshy  tunic,  foimed  of  two 
layers  of  interlaced  fibres,  capable  of  sudden  strong  compres- 
sion of  the  receptacle.  This  latter  is  not  a  small  simple  sac 
with  laminar  walls,  such  as  is  found  in  the  centre  of  the  gland 
of  Mustelincv,  but  is  an  enormous  reservoir,  with  a  dense  resist- 
ing fibrous  coat,  always  containing  a  considerable  quantity  of 
the  follicular  product.  The  glandular  substance  is  not  spread 
all  over  this  central  capsule,  but  is  restricted  to  a  particular 
portion,  and  contrasts  by  its  dark  color  with  the  white  surface 
of  the  envelope  of  the  pouch.  The  contents  of  the  receptacle 
are  sufficiently  offensive  to  justify  the  profound  and  universal 
disgust  which  these  animals  excite  in  consequence  of  their 
curious  and  very  efficacious  means  of  defence.  The  voiding  of 
the  liquid  must  be  sudden ;  and  it  does  not  suffice  that  the  re- 
ceptacle is  large  and  powerfully  muscular ;  the  offensive  liquid 
must  be  directed  far  backward,  so  iis  to  flow  as  little  as  possible 
upon  the  rectal  mucous  membrane ;  consequently  the  opening 
is  large  and  uiK)n  the  summit  of  an  umbilicated  papilla,  around 
which  rests  a  cutaneous  fold,  which  in  a  measure  directs  the 
discharge. 


ANAL    GLANDS    OF   MUSTELID.E. 


f5 


This  general  plan  is  further  modified  in  the  Badgers,  where 
not  only  are  there  anal  glands  of  a  usual  type,  but  also  in  their 
neighborhood  is  found,  in  both  sexes,  a  racemose  cluster  of 
glands,  the  secretion  of  which  is  turned  into  the  subcandal 
pouch,  which  is  generally  described  as  appertaining  to  the 
anus;  but  its  form  is  peculiar,  and  its  contents,  moreover,  are 
of  a  different  character  from  those  of  the  anal  glands  proper. 
In  some  respects  this  pouch  resembles  the  large  reservoirs  of 
viverreum  of  the  Civets,  and,  as  in  the^e  cases,  is  sparsely 
hairy.  Thus  the  Badger  is  a  special  case  iu  its  own  family, 
where  it  distantly  represents,  in  this  respect,  the  Viverridce, 
These  last  have,  in  addition  to  anal  glands,  a  secretory  appa- 
ratus for  special  products,  though  even  here  species  of  Uerpestis 
hfi.ve  anal  glands  like  those  of  various  Mmtelidw. 

3. — Resume  of  M,   Chathi's   views  of  the  Glassifimtion  of  the 
family,  as  based  on  the  odoriferous  glands. 

"This  is  one  of  the  least  homogeneous  families  of  Carnivora, 
if  we  include  in  it,  after  Van  der  Hoeven  and  others,  such  dif- 
ferent animals  as  the  Otter,  Polecat,  Badger,  Skunk,  Marten, 
and  Eatel.  It  is  surprising  that  types  so  distinct  as  these 
should  have  been  suffered  to  remain  thus  far  in  an  association 
as  intimate  as  it  is  uu philosophical,  and  it  is  easily  seeu  how 
Milne-Edwards  was  enabled  to  form"  three  families  out  of  the 
components  of  so  miscellaneous  an  assemblage  as  that  of  the 
Mustelidw.  In  the  conflguration  of  the  limbs,  as  well  as  in  their 
entirely  peculiar  habits,  the  Otters  may  represent  one  family 
{Liitrida')',  then  come  the  true  Mustelidw,  emhmciug  Miistela, 
Pulorlus,  &c. ;  and,  finally,  the  family  Melidw,  consisting  of 
Mephitis  (with  Conepatns,  &c.),  Metes  {Taxidea,  &c.),  and  Melli- 
vora. 

"  Now,  these  three  divisions  correspond  with  as  many  modi- 
fications of  the  perinatal  secretory  apparatus :  the  two  former, 
Lutridw  and  Mustelidw,  offer  in  a  general  way  a  single  pair  of 
glands  opening  on  the  border  of  the  anus,  one  on  each  side, 
furnished  with  a  receptacle  for  the  product  of  secretion. 

"  In  the  Melidce,  the  Badgers  on  the  one  hand  and  the  Skunks 
and  Eatels  on  the  other  form  two  quite  distinct  sections.  In 
these  latter  genera  are  likewise  found  a  single  pair  of  anal 
,.dands,  but  these  are  quite  different  from  those  of  the  Mmtelida'. 
The  receptacle  has  a  remarkable  capacity ;  the  follicular  mass, 
instead  of  spreading  over  it,  occupies  buLa  small  portion  of  its 


11,    ;    ,!: 


16  NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 

surface ;  while  the  secretion,  which  is  always  plentiful,  here 
acquires  an  unparalleled  fetor.  In  the  Badgers,  on  the  contrary', 
these  anal  glands  are  not  the  only  secretory  organs ;  there  being 
in  addition  a  particular  subcaudal  ])ouch  surrounded  by  a  race- 
mose gland,  which  produces  a  peculiar  liquid. 

"This  brief  summary  of  the  leading  modifications  of  the 
perinatal  glands  of  Mustelulw  suffices  to  show  that  several  dif- 
ferent types  are  included  in  that  group "* 

ON  THE    EXTINCT  MUSTELINE  OP  NORTH  AMERICA. 

The  following  fossil  species  of  North  American  Musteliiuc 
have  been  described : — 

1.  Mastela  mnstellna,  {Cope). 

Aelurodon  mustellnua,  Cope,  Palicont.  Bull.  no.  1 4,  July  25, 1873,  1. 
Martes  musteUnUB,  Cope,  Ann.  Ilt^p.  V.  S.  Gool.  Surv.  for  1873,  1874.  590. 
Mustela  parvUoba,  Cope  (change  of  name  on  reference  of  the  species  to  Mustela). 

Pliocene.    Loup  Fork  epoch. 

"A  small,  single-rooted  second  molar  of  the  lower  jaw.  First 
molar  sectorial,  with  a  rather  narrow  posterior  heel,  one-third 
its  length,  and  a  small  inner  tubercle  at  the  base  of  the  second 
outer  cusp.  Last  premolar  with  a  short  posterior  heel,  and  dis- 
tinct outer  tubercle  on  the  posterior  side  of  the  cusi).  Margin 
of  jaw  strongly  everted  below  masseteric  fossa. 

"Measurements. 

M. 

"  Length  of  three  last  molars 0. 018 

"  Leugth  of  sectorial  inolara '. 010 

"  Width  of  sectorial  molars  (greatest) 005 

"  Height  of  posterior  cusp  (greatest) 005 

"  This  species  was  about  as  large  as  the  domestic  cat,  and 
less  than  one-third  that  of  Aelurodon  feroXj  Leidy."  {Quoted 
from  the  second  reference  above  cited.) 

3.  Muatela  iiamblniia,  (Cope). 

Martes  nambiana,  Oope,  Froo.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  Phila.  1674,  147. 

"fFutorlus  namblanus",  Cope.  -,         .!    ^^  ■ 

From  the  Santa  F^  (N.  Mex.)  Marls.    Pliocene. 

"  Represented  by  a  mandibular  ramus  which  supports  three 
teeth.  The  anterior  blade  of  the  sectorial  is  rather  obtuse.  The 
first  premolar  is  one-rooted  j  the  second  and  third  are  without 

*  But  M.  Chatin,  regarding  the  family  iu  the  {)erspective  of  his  special 
studies,  may  be  considered  not  to  have  given  due  weight  to  other  points  of 
structure,  the  sum  of  which,  as  I  believe,  indicates  that  the  Mitstelidw,  as 
defined  in  the  present  work,  are  a  homogeneous  and  natural  assemblage  of 
genera,  of  the  grade  usually  held  to  represent  family  value. 


EXTINCT    MUSTELIN/E    OF    NORTH    AMERICA.  17 

posterior  coronal  lobe,  but  exhibit  small  basal  lobes,  both  an- 
terior and  posterior.  The  anterior  of  the  second  is  rather 
elevated,  and  the  entire  crown  is  directed  obliquely  forwards. 
Canine  compressed.    Mental  foramina  below  the  second  and 

third  premolars. 

"  Measurements. 

M. 

"Leugth  of  three  premolars 006 

"  Elevation  of  anterior  lobe  of  sectorial 002 

' '  Depth  of  ramus  at  anterior  lobe  of  sectorial 003 

^'  This  species  is  of  smaller  size  than  the  M.  mustelinuSf  Cope, 
and  the  sectorial  tooth  less  elevated  and  trenchant." — {Oriy, 
descr.) 

't.  Oalera  macrodon,  Cope. 

(Salero  macrodon.  Cope,  Proo.  PhlU.  Aoad.  Kat.  Scl.  1869, 155  (se«  also  \3S\.—Leidy, 
Extinct  Mamni.  Dak.  Nebr.  1669,  369,  pi.  xsx.  f.  1,  2,  3. 

Post-pliocene  deposits  in  Charles  County,  Maryland,  asso- 
ciated with  remains  of  Dicotyles  torquatua  and  a  Manatus. 

*'  This  species  is  based  on  the  greater  portion  of  the  right 
ramus  of  the  mandible  of  an  adult,  containing  three  molars  in 
place,  the  alveolae  [sc.  alveoli]  of  the  first  and  of  the  last,  with 
a  considerable  portion  of  that  of  the  canine. 

'"'  The  alveolus  indicates  a  canine  of  large  size.  The  basis  of 
the  first  premolar  is  turned  obliquely  outwards,  and  is  two- 
rooted.  The  second  and  third  i)remolars  are  separated  by  a 
space:  they  have  well-marked  cingula,  but  neither  posterior 
nor  internal  tubercles.  The  sectorial  is  elongate,  more  than 
twice  as  long  as  wide,  the  inner  tubercle  well-marked,  acute, 
the  posterior  lobe  flattened,  elongate ;  anterior  lobe  narrowed. 
Alveolus  of  the  tubercular  molar  longitudinal,  receiving  a 
flattened  fang  with  a  groove  on  each  side.  Inferior  face  of 
ramus?  below  anterior  line  of  coronoid  process,  broad  rounded, 
turned  ^outwards.  Masseteric  ridge  only  reaching  the  latter 
below  near  the  apex  of  the  coronoid  process,  and  not  extend- 
ing anterior  to  the  line  of  the  posterior  margin  of  the  tuber- 
cular molar.    Bamus  narrow  at  first  premolar. 

.     In.  Lin. 
"  Length  of  ramus  from  posterior  margin  of  canine  to  ditto  of  tu- 
bercular    1    5.5 

"  Ditto  tojpoaterior  margin  sectorial 1    3. 

"Ditto  third  premolar 3.75 

"  Ditto  sectorial  molar 6. 

"Width  of  same  (posterior  lobe) 2.8 

"  Depth  ramus  at  posterior  margin  firbt  premolar 7. 5 

"  Ditto  ramus  at  posterior  margin  sectorial 8. 25 

"  Widtb^ramus  at  posterior  margin  symphysis 4. 5 

2m 


18 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MU8TELID.E. 


"  This  species  appears  to  have  been  perhaps  rather  larger 
than  the  Galera  barbata  (Gray)  of  Brazil,  and  of  a  rather 
more  slender  muzzle.  As  compared  with  that  species,  it  ex- 
hibits many  peculiarities.  The  third  premolar  is  smaller,  and 
the  first,  the  sectorial,  and  the  tubercular  [are]  relatively  larger. 
In  G.  barbata,  the  first  molar  has  but  one  root,  and  the 
mandibular  ramus  [is]  thicker  and  deeper.  The  masseteric 
ridge  advances  to  opposite  the  middle  of  the  sectorial  molar, 
and  is  continued  on  the  inferior  margin  of  the  ramus,  much 
anterior  to  its  position  in  the  G.  macro  don. 

"The  discovery  of  this  species  adds  another  link  to  the  evi- 
dence in  favor  of  the  extension  of  neotropical  types*  over  the 
nearctic  region  during  the  post-pliocene  epoch.  Of  thirty  con- 
tinental North  American  species  enumerated  by  Leidy  (An- 
cient Fauna  of  Nebraska,  9)  all  but  thirteen  may  be  said  to  be 
characteristic  of  that,  or  closely  allied  to  the  species  of  the 
present  period  of  North  America.  Of  the  thirteen,  one  (Elephas) 
is  characteristic  of  the  old  world,  of  one  (Anomodon)  affinities 
[are]  unknown,  and  eleven  are  represented  by  members  of  the 
same  family  or  genus  now  living  in  South  America." — {Quoted 
from  the  original  article.)  * 


i  '1^ 


4t  Galera  perdicida,  Cope. 

Hemiacis  perdlclda«  Cope,  Proc.  Acad.  Xat.  Sci.  Pbila.  1869,  3  (named,  not  described). 
Galera  perdlclda,  Cope,  Proc.  Amer.  Philos.  Soc.  18fi9,  177,  pi.  iii.  figs.  1, 1  a.— Leidy, 
Ext.  Mam.  Dak.  and  Nebr.  1869,  445. 

From  limestone  breccia,  Wythe  County,  Virginia.  Post- 
pliocene. 

"  This  is  a  small  carnivore  of  the  Lutriue  group  of  the 
Mustelidfe,  apparently  allied  to  Mephitis  and  Lutra.  [The 
generic  name  given,  however,  is  that  of  one  of  the  Mustelince.] 
It  is  only  represented  by  a  left  ramus  of  the  mandible,  with 
dentition  complete.  Its  characters  are  as  follows :  Dentition 
^,  |,  ^,  ^.  The  tubercular  molar  is  relatively  as  in  the  allied 
genera,  but  without  sharp  tubercle ;  the  sectorial  characterizes 
the  genus  as  distinct  from  the  two  mentioned  [Lutra  and  Mephi- 
tis]. The  posterior  lobe  is  without  the  marfeed  internal  and  exter- 
nal acute  tubercle  seen  in  Mephitis,  nor  the  tubercular  crest  of 
Lutra,  but  is  rounded  and  slightly  concave.   The  median  crests, 

*  "  The  genu8  Galera,  Gray,  i8  here  regarded  as  distinct  from  Galictis  Bell 
(GriBonia  Gray),  as  it  possesses  an  internal  tubercle  on  the  inferior  secto- 
rial, which  is  wanting  in  the  latter." — (i,oc.  cit.) 


EXTINCT    ML'STELIN.E    OF    NORTH    AMERICA  19 

inner  aiul  enter,  are  strongly  developed,  and  with  tbe  anterior, 
(jnite  a8  in  Mephitis. 

•'The  jaw  pertained  to  an  adult  individual  of  smaller  size 
than  the  common  skunk,  Mephitis  chinga.  The  bases  of  the 
crowns  of  the  first  and  second  premolars,  and  to  the  outer  side 
of  the  canine  are  surrounded  by  a  well  marked  cingulum.  The 
length  of  the  crown  of  the  molar  is  greater  in  proportion  to  the 
length  [?J  than  in  the  skunk.  The  axis  of  thecoronoid  process 
is  as  in  it,  at  right  angles  to  that  ot  the  ramus.  The  latter  is 
straighter  on  the  inferior  border  than  in  the  skunk,  and  exhibits 
a  marked  difference  in  the  angle  being  nearly  on  the  same  line, 
and  not  raised  above  it,  as  in  the  species  of  American  skunks 
and  others,  figured  by  Baird. 

"  ileasiireMents, 

Lines. 

"  From  angle  to  outer  incisive  al veolns 15. 6 

"  Depth  ftt  coronoid W. 

"  From  base  condyle  to  tnbercnlar  molar 5. 

"  Length  of  sectorial  molar 3.  (5 

"  Width  of  sectorial  molar 1.2 

"  Height  from  basal  shoulder 2. 

"  Depth  ramus  at  tubercular 2. 7 

"Depth  ramus  at  Pm. 2 3.1 

"Length  of  crown  of  canine 3. 

"There  are  two  mental  foramina  in  the  specimen,  one  below 
the  third,  the  other  below  the  first  premolar.  Tbe  crown  of  the 
canine  is  contracted  and  curved ;  slightly  flattened  on  the  inner 
side."    {Quoted  from  the  original  description.) 

I  do  not  know  the  skull  of  Oalera.  As  figured,  the  jaw  of  G. 
perdicida  differs  from  that  of  Mephitince  and  LutrincB,  as  usually 
presented,  in  the  straightness  of  the  inferior  border,  agreeing  in 
this  respect  with  Mustelinie.  It  closely  resembles,  among  recent 
forms,  the  genus  Putoriusy  from  which,  however,  the  character 
of  the  sectorial  lower  molar,  with  its  strong  acute  inner  tubercle 
of  the  middle  lobe,  as  in  Mephitis  (and  Lutra\  perfectly  dis- 
tinguishes it.  I  should  not  be  surprised,  however,  if  the  relation- 
ships of  this  form  proved  to  be  actually  with  Mephitis,  especi- 
ally with  Spilogale.  In  a  specimen  of  the  latter  before  me  from 
Georgia,  the  lower  border  of  the  jaw  is  quite  as  straight  as 
that  figured  by  Professor  Cope;  in  size,  the  specimen  agrees 
better  with  the  figure  than  it  does  with  some  other  specimens 
of  Spilogale  before  me 'f  the  general  shape  is  the  same;  there 
are  two  mental  foramina  exactly  as  described  and  figured ;  and 


11    '■ 

■I       I 


'li 

illi! 

,  ill 

m 


20 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELIDit. 


I  fail  touote,  in  the  figure  or  dcscriptiou,  any  decided  diflereuces 
iu  dentition  from  Spiloyale.  In  fine,  it  may  be  questioned 
whether  "  Galera  perdicida  "  is  even  specifically  distinct  from 
Spilogale  putoriua.  The  fossil  was  found,  it  will  be  remembered, 
amongst  remains  of  numerous  species  not  distinguishable  from 
recent  ones.* 

ON    THE    DERIVATION    AND    SIGNIFICATION    OF    THE    NAMES 
APPLIED  TO  THE  JIUSTELIDiE. 

To  treat  of  this  interesting  topic  1  cannot,  perhaps,  do  better 
than  give  a  version  of  Dr.  E.  von  Martens's  article,  Ueber 
IMernamenjj  so  far  as  it  relates  to  the  animals  of  the  present 
family.  This  valuable  article,  as  it  seems  to  me,  places  the 
subject  in  a  clear  light,  and  gives,  in  a  sufficiently  concise  and 
convenient  form,  just  the  information  that  is  required  for  an 
understanding  of  the  etymology  and  philological  bearing  of 
the  names  used  in  various  languages  to  designate  the  species 
of  Muatelidce.  Study  of  this  subject,  which  is  sadly  neglected 
in  ordinary  zoological  writings,  is  essential  to  the  proper  appre- 
ciation of  the  technical  or  binomial  names ;  the  older  ones  being, 
as  will  be  seen,  not  necessarily  of  Greek  or  Latin  origin,  as 
commonly  assumed.  Thus,  for  instance,  the  generic  name  Gulo 
comes  simply  by  translation  into  Latin  of  the  Scandinavian 
and  Bussian  names,  which  refer  to  the  voracity  of  the  animal. 

Dachs  [Melea  vulgaris]. — For  this  remarkable  animal,  no 
Greek  name  can  be  determined  with  certainty,  although  it  is 
stated  by  late  investigators,  as  Fiedler  and  Lindeumeyer,  to  ex- 
ist in  Greece ;  for  it  is  at  least  a  hazardous  interpretation  to 
identify  the  species  with  the  rp6/o^^  "  runner  ",  of  which  Aris- 
totle (Gen.  3,  6)  speaks  on  the  authority  of  Herodorus  of 
Heraklea.  The  Latin  Meles  of  Pliny,  8,  38,  58,  is  decidedly 
more  certain :  aufflatw  cutis  distentu  ietus  hominum  et  morsus 
eanum  arcent ;  the  Badger,  of  course,  does  not  inflate  its  skin, 
but,  nevertheless,  its  thick  hide  enables  it  to  withstand  bites  and 
blows.  Less  pertinent  is  a  passage  in  Varro  De  Re  Bust.  3,  12, 
3,  where  maelis  is  written.    Isidor  of  Sevilla  (seventh  century 

*  Some  time  after  the  foregoiug  was  written,  I  addreHsed  to  Professor  Cope 
a  note  on  the  subject,  stating  my  views ;  and  in  reply  I  learned  that  Professor 
Cope  "  had  for  some  time  saspected  "  that  the  animal  was  a  MejfMtia. 

t "  Ueber  Thiernamen."  Von  E.  von  Martens  in  Berlin.  In :  Der  Zoolo- 
gische  Garten ;  the  portions  relating  to  the  Muatelidce,  here  translated,  being 
ttt  pp.  251-256  and  pp.  275-281  of  Jahrg.  (or  vol.)  xi  (1870). 


ETYMOLOGY  OF  NAMES  OF  MUSTELID.E. 


21 


E  NAME« 


nfter  0!iri«t)  writes  melo,  genitive  melotm  ;  and,  in  the  vicinity 
of  Bologna,  according  to  the  statement  of  Diez,  the  Badger  ia 
still  called  melogna.  Elsew  .ere,  however,  this  word  is  obsolete, 
being  replaced  in  the  living  Enropoaa  languages  by  various 
others,  entirely  different. 

The  German  word  (lachn  may  be  traced  back  to  the  early 
period  of  the  Middle  Ages :  in  the  quack  prescriptions  of  Mar- 
cellus  of  Bordeaux,  in  the  ninth  century,  is  found  adepn  tax- 
oninus,  Badger's  fat,  and  taxm,  used  by  the  above-mentioned 
Isidor  as  the  definition  of  adeps,  fat,  with  reference  to  a  still 
earlier  author,  is  probably  the  same ;  the  short  form  das,  as  the 
word  still  runs  in  Dutch,  is  found  in  the  German  vocabulary  of 
the  ninth  century ;  the  nun  Hildegard,  in  the  twelfth,  wrote 
dahsifi ;  Albertus  Magnus,  in  the  thirteenth,  daxus.  The  form 
taxm  or  taxo,  as  a  name  for  the  animal  itself,  occurs  in  the 
Latin  vocabulary  from  the  period  of  the  eighth  century ;  it 
may  be  that  this  term  is  related  to  the  pure  Latin  name  of  the 
yew-tree,  taxu8  of  Csesar  and  Virgil  {Taxiis  hraccata  Linn.), 
agreeably  to  which  the  initial  t  straightway  becomes  fixed  in 
the  Romanic  names  of  the  Miimal,  in  the  Italian,  tasso  ;  in  the 
Spanish,  tejon  (and  tesajo,  smoked  meat) ;  the  Portuguese 
texugo ;  while  the  Old  French  had  its  taisson,  of  which  only 
taniere  (from  taisniere),  meaning  particularly  a  Badger- burrow, 
and,  generally,  the  den  of  a  wild  beast,  remains  in  modern 
French.  The  poet  Tasso,  and  the  founder  of  the  German 
postal  system,  Taxis,  derive  their  family  name  from  dachs, 
Badger,  as  the  old  Roman  agitator  Sp.  Maelius  probably  also 
did.  The  word  itself  may  be  originally  German,  and  have  be  ■ 
come  naturalized  in  France,  Spain,  and  Italy  with  the  migra- 
tions of  German  races.  To  derive  it  from  the  Sanskrit  taJcsha 
(Greek  zkxrwy),  a  carpenter,  to  be  taken  in  the  sense  of  an  ar- 
chitect, is  rather  far-fetched.  Another  series  of  names  of  the 
Badger  in  Northern  Europe  begins  with  B,  as  the  French  blai- 
reaii,  the  English  badger,  the  Danij^h  hrok,*  and  the  Russian 
borsnk  ;  but  it  is  not  certain  that  these  are  all  ety  mologically  re- 
lated. Blaireau^^  in  Middle- Age  Latin  blerellus,  is  interpreted  by 
Diez  as  the  diminutive  of  the  mediaeval  Latin  bladarius,  a  grain- 
merchant  (Romanic  biado,  late  French  ble,  grain) ;  and  in  support 
of  this  it  is  argued  that  the  English  name  of  the  animal,  badger, 
signifies  also  a  dealer  in  grain.    Such  connection  requires  us  to 

"  "  Brock ''  is  also  foiiud  as  an  English  provincialism. — Tr. 

t  Which  is  corrupted,  in  America,  into  Braro,  Brairo,  and  Prarow.— Tk. 


22 


NOKTIl    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.i:. 


i  ! 

k 

hi 


I  'i; 


invent  the  certainly  erroneous  explanation  tli!»t  the  animal  lays 
up  a  sstore  of  provisions  in  its  domicile,  as  if  it  drove  a  trade  in 
grain.  Dielenbach's  derivation  from  the  Celtic,  originally  Cym- 
ric, word  bimrr,  gray,  seems  to  me  to  bo  nearer  the  mark  ;  it 
would  theu  be  "  the  little  gray  beast ";  and  it  is  corroborative 
of  this  that  the  animal  is  called, in  Picardy,  </>i«ard;  in  Sweden 
and  Denmark, //>vV>7M<7  or  f)fW>///«(7,  that  is  to  say,  OrnuUng,  "a 
gray  or  grizzly  beast".  But  the  proper  Cel^^ic  name  of  the  ani- 
mal is  broc;  in  the  Gaelic,  Irish,  and  Bretonic  remarkably  like 
the  Danish  brok,  and  somewhat  similar  to  borsuk,  which  prevails 
in  Poland,  Eussia,  and  Siberia  ;  there  this  name  for  the  Badger 
is  current  among  the  Bashkirs,  Kirghiz,  and  Buchares,  and  is 
rendered  horz  by  the  Magyars;  so  we  may  consider  it  a  primitive 
Turanian  word,  the  more  so  since  the  South  Sclavonic  uses  an- 
other term,  in  Cuvu'iohi,  jozavec  or  janbez ;  in  Bohemia,  gezivee. 
The  Wallachian,  jezure  or  esure,  which  has  been  incorrectly  con- 
sidered as  from  the  Latin  esor,  eater,  is  probably  related. 


iii4 


ViELFRASS  [Oiilo  luscvs], — According  to  the  latest  investi- 
gations, the  Glutton  inhabited  Middle  Europe  nearly  to  the 
Alps,  in  the  period  of  the  Lake-dwellers  {P/uhlbauteu,  literally 
pile-buildings),  together  with  the  Reindeer;  and  of  its  occur- 
rence in  Germany,  even  in  the  last  century,  two  cases  are  given, 
one  at  Frauenstein  in  Saxony,  by  Klein,  1751,  the  other  at 
Helmstiidt  in  Brunswick,  by  Zimmermann,  1777,  both,  unfor- 
tunately, without  the  particulars.  Though  both  these  zoolo- 
gists saw  the  stuffed  specimen,  neither  gives  the  date  of  cap- 
ture, the  first  only  stating  that  it  occurred  under  Augustus  H, 
who  died  in  1733.  These  can  only  have  been  stray  s[)eciuiens, 
since  no  contemporaneous  or  previous  writer  mentions  the  oc- 
currence of  the  animal  in  Germany.  The  species  was  entirely 
unknown  in  the  Middle  Ages,  making  its  first  appearance  in 
literature  through  Michow,  a  physician  of  Cracow  (de  Sarma- 
tia  Asiana  et  Europa^a,  1532),  as  Lithuanian  and  Moscovitic, 
and  through  Bishop  Olaus  Magnus,  of  Upsala,  1562,  as  an  ani- 
mal of  North  Sweden,  thus  nearly  at  the  limit  of  its  present 
distribution.  What  we  can  gather  from  the  name  of  the  ani- 
mal accords  perfectly  with  this.  In  Europe,  names  are  only 
found  in  the  vernacular  proper  of  Scandinavia  and  Russia,  jar/" 
or  jerv  of  the  former,  and  rossomaha  of  the  latter,  both  of  which 
are  given  by  the  above-mentioned  historians;  all  German, 
French,  Latin,  and  such,  are  book-names,  intended  to  denote 


if  I 
iiii; 


ETYMOLOGY    OF    NAMES    OF    MUSTELID.E. 


23 


the  voracity  of  the  aniiual,  and  point  back  to  the  well-known 
account  of  Ohms,  as  the  German  Vicl/rass,  the  Latin  OulOj  the 
French  Olouton,  the  Kni^iish  Glutton.  It  has  often  been  as- 
serted that  the  (Jerman  VielJ'ra,s/i,  in  the  sense  of  glutton,  is  a 
misunderstanding,  it  being  derived  from  the  Swedish  word 
fi('(U,  Norwegian  /jail,  rock  or  clilf;  but  this  I  cannot  credit, 
first,  be(;ause  the  secontl  sylhible  is  not  accounted  for  on  such 
supposition  {fjall—ydri  is  remote,  and  the  animal  is  nowhere 
so  called,  but  simply  jaV/');  secondly,  because  both  the  Swed- 
ish Olaus  Magnus  and  the  Norwegian  Bishop  Pontoppidau 
give  its  voracity  special  prominence,  and  from  this  trait  derive 
the  name  jerf  (<;ier/;,  "gierig",  greedy f),  translated  Gulo  aud 
Vielfniss.  Another  Norwegian  clergyman,  H.  Strom,  gives,  iu- 
deed,  the  designation  Fieldfrass,  besides  jcrf,  to  the  animal, 
which  is  of  rare  occurrence  in  his  locality,  but  with  the  explicit 
remark  that  Fiehlfrms  was,  beyond  doubt,  derived  from  the 
German  word  Vicl/rass.  This  is  thus  exactly  contrary  to  the 
usual  German  acceptation;  and,  in  fact,  "Felsenfrass-' would 
be  a  singular  appellation. 


ZoBEL  [Mufitela  zibellina]. — The  name  appears  as  early  as  the 
latter  half  of  the  Middle  Ages,  under  many  variations,  as  the 
modern  Latin,  sahelns,  zibellina  ;  Gernmn,  zebvl  (as  early  as  the 
ninth  century,  according  to  Graff),  zobel ;  Proven9al,  sebeli ; 
English  and  old  French,  sable ;  Swedish,  sabel ;  Russian,  sobol ; 
Finnish,  soboli — in  every  case  meaning  a  northern  peltry.  In 
the  East,  we  find  atiother  variation,  samur,  in  the  Crimea  aud 
Armenia,  and  thence  to  Servia  aud  Wallachia.  The  name  is 
probably  of  Turanian  origin. 

Mabdek  [Mustela  marten,  M.  foina], — This  word  now  occurs 
in  Germanic  aud  Bomanic  languages,  in  both  either  with  or 
without  the  second  K,  as  the  Spanish  and  Portuguese  marta, 
in  the  former  as  a  feminine  noun,  and  likewise  the  French  la 
marie,  though  in  some  dialects  la  martre,  the  Provencal  mart, 
Italian  martora  and  martorella  ;  the  English  martin  [or,  ofteuer, 
marten — Tr.]  appears  to  be  an  easy  way  of  raying  martern,  still 
in  use  in  some  localities;  Dutch  wwrfer,  Swedish  mard,  Danish 
maar.  Seeking  for  the  earliest  form  of  the  word,  we  first  find 
martes  in  Martial,  the  Spanish-born  Roman  poet ;  but  this  can 
scarcely  be  an  old  Latin  word,  as  it  is  not  found  in  Pliny  or 
other  classical  writers;  aud  Martial  often  introduced  forcJgn 


24 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


m 


words  into  his  Latin.  In  Anglo-Saxon,  it  only  appears  as 
meardh;  whilst,  on  the  other  hand,  in  Germany,  we  find  martarus 
used  by  Hildegard  and  Albertus  Magnus,  in  the  twelfth  and  thir- 
teenth centuries.  The  resemblance  to  the  German  verb  "  mar- 
tern"  [to  torment]  is  obvious ;  in  fact,  "  martern  "  might  be  de 
fined  "  to  act  like  a  marten  ",  the  proper  implication  being,  not 
the  sanguinary  murders  the  marten  commits,  but  the  palpable 
torment  which  it  designedly  inflicts.  Another  derivation  comes 
decidedly  nearer — martyr,  meaning  a  person  tortured,  from 
martyrium,  torture,  whence  the  verb  first  arose.  The  resem- 
blance in  sound  may  have  occasioned  the  second  R  in  those 
cases  in  which  it  appears.  We  might  also  seek  to  establish  a 
connection  between  "  marder",  a  marten,  and  "  Morder",  Ger- 
man for  a  murderer;  but  the  T,  which  occurs  in  a  majority  of 
the  forms  of  the  word,  is  against  this,  as  is  also  the  fact  that 
the  German  name  occurs  in  many  languages  to  which  "  Mord  ■' 
and  "  Morder  "  do  not  belong. 

A  second  Romanic  name  of  the  Marten  is  fuina;  Spanish 
and  Italian  the  same,  Portuguese /wm/m,  French  la  fouine;  in 
some  dialects  with  a  in  place  of  w,  as  in  certain  Italian  locali 
ties  faina,  in  Provence  faguino,  fahino,  Old  French  fayne; 
Catalonian  fagina,  Belgic  faweina,  in  the  Canton  of  Grau- 
bUndten  further  modified  into  Jierna.  The  obsolete  German 
names  of  certain  pelts,  Fehe,  Feh-icamme,  are  very  likely  re- 
lated. The  word  is  not  Latin  as  the  name  of  an  animal ;  but 
it  may  be  inquired,  with  respect  to  the  later  forms,  whether  it 
does  not  probably  signify  marta  fagina.  Beech-marten,  as  one 
of  the  two  European  species  of  the  genus  is  often  named ; 
properly  the  Tree-  or  Pine-marten,  in  distinction  from  the 
Stone-  or  House-marten,  since  the  former  lives  in  the  forest, 
the  latter  about  buildings ;  though  very  curiously,  the  Stone- 
marten  [ M u stela  foina\  is  the  Martarus  or  Martes  fagorum  of 
Albertus  Magnus  and  afterward  of  Ray,  whilst  the  Pine- 
marten  [M.  'inartes]  is  distinguished  as  M.  abietum,  "Marten 
of  the  firs".  The  precise  distinction  between  fouine,  foina  = 
Stone-marten,  and  martCy  martes  =  Pine-marten,  moreover,  may 
have  been  first  set  forth  by  Bufibn  and  Linujeus,  and  have 
obtained  rather  among  zoologists  than  among  the  people  at 
large;  the  more  valuable  Pine-marten  ["Edel-marder",  liter- 
ally "noble  marten"!  took  the  commonest  name,  leaving  the 
less  popular  one  for  the  other  rarer  species.     From  th\»  fouine, 


>\h 


\ 


ETYMOLOGY    OF    NAMES    OF    MUSTELID^:. 


25 


the  French  have  formed  the  verb  foubier,  to  pry  into  or  ram- 
mage  about.* 

The  Celtic,  Sclavonic,  and  Finnish  names  are  entirely  differ- 
ent, as  are  the  Cymric  bela,\  the  Eussian,  Polish,  Bohemian, 
and  Orainish  Tcuna,  Finnish  and  Laplandish  niita;  with  which 
the  Magyaric  nyest  or  nest  accords. 

Iltis  [Putoriiis  fcctidus].— The  German  name  is  found  under 
many  variations,  according  to  localities,  particularly  in  North 
Germany,  as  iltniti,  eltiSy  Danish  ilder,  Swedish  iller;  further- 
more, with  k,  ilk  J  ulk,  according  to  Bechstein  in  Thuringia  even 
Ram-unk,  which  is  the  well  known  name  of  a  reptile  [toad]; 
and  again  with  6,  elb-thier,  elbkatze,  which  has  been  sought  to  be 
derived  from  elben  =  elves,  the  nocturnal  sprites;  but  the  oldest 
form  of  the  word  known  to  me,  ilUbenzus  of  Albertus  Magnus 
(thirteenth  century),  is  little  unfavorable  to  this  etymology.  The 
Dutch  bunsing  stands  entirely  alone.  The  Romanic  languages 
name  the  species  simply  from  its  bad  smell,  as  the  Italian  puszola^ 
French  putois,  mediteval  Latin  ptitorins,  the  pusnais  of  French 
animal-fable,  which  is  the  same  as  pitnaise,  a  bed-bug.  The 
second  portion  of  the  English  name,  pole-cat,  is  of  obvious 
meaning;  agreeably  to  which  we  find  in  Diefenbach  (Celtica,  ii, 
p.  435)  that  in  Wales,  in  early  times,  the  animal  was  kept,  or, 
more  likely,  suffered  to  remain,  about  houses,  to  destroy  mice.| 
Another  English  name,  fitclier,  Jitchet  [or  Jitch — Tr.],  related  to 
the  old  French  fissan,  apparently  indicates  the  same  capacity  in 
which  the  animal  was  employed  or  regarded.  The  Sclavonic 
languages  have  a  particular  word,  tschor,  tschorz,  or  tscher,  in 
Carniolan  ticor,  in  Roumanian  dihor. 

By  Pliny  (8,  55,  84),  this  species  is  called  viverra,  probably 
an  Iberian  word  no  longer  occurring  in  later  languages,  and 
which  Linnreus  first  reapplied  in  zoology  to  the  Civet-cats. 
Since  the  Middle  Ages,  however,  two  forms  of  the  name  of  this 
animal  have  simultaneously  appeared,  the  first  without  *,  furo 
of  Isidor  of  Sevilla  (seventh  century),  whence  the  present  Por- 


*  "  Diirchsuchen,  durchstobern  " ;  so  tlofineil  by  the  uriter,  bnto'f-iir  au- 
thority defines  fouiner  to  slink  off,  to  ia«»ak:  away ;  lEv^d  only  in  trivial 
style.    But  either  meaning  is  sufficiently  charaoteristio  of  the  animals. — Tk. 

t  Obviously  related  to  the  modern  French  btlettc—see  beyond. — Tu. 

I  The  whole  English  word,  poh-cnt,  is  by  some  simply  rendered  "I'olish- 
cat",  as  if  the  animal  were  originally  from  Poland.  In  America,  the  word 
has  been  very  commonly  transferred  to  the  .Skunks,  M»phUii :  Catesby's  pol- 
cat  is  such,  and  Kalm's  fiskatta  is  translated  j#o/e-t»t<. — Tk. 


26 


NORTH    AMEPTCAN    MUh/ 


UJE. 


m 


tuguese /umo,  and  tho  Spanish  /«w>on,  transferred  by  the  Span- 
ish colonists  to  the  South  American  Galictis  vittata,  and  the 
North  American  Miistela  huro  Fr.  Cuv.,  and  ^iiretus  of  the  Em- 
peror Frederick  II,  considered  as  French  L  Albertus  Magnus, 
with  which  the  present  French  furet,  English  ferret,  Celtic 
fared  and  fearaid,  GerniRii  frett,  are  all  related.  The  -et  may  be 
a  diminutive  form,  or  be  a  part  of  the  original  word ;  it  is 
slighted  by  the  etymologist  Isidor,  who  somewhat  gratuitously 
finds  in  it  the  Latin /Mr,  thief.  The  word  cannot  be  Arabic,  for 
Isidor  died  in  636,  before  the  irruption  of  the  Arabs  into  Africa. 
But  if,  as  Shaw  states,  the  Weasel  is  called /erf  in  Barbary,  the 
probability  is  that  the  word,  like  others,  is  common  to  the  North 
African  pre- Arabic  and  the  Iberian  pre-Romanic  languages,  and 
that  it  is  this  very  animal  which  Strabo  calls  the  North  African 
(Libyan)  Weasel.* 


4l\ 


■;!r 


WiESEL  [Putorius  vtdgaris]. — This  word  is  found  in  most  of 
the  Germanic  languages:  Swedish  wessla;  English  iceesel  or 
weasel;  Dutch  icezel.  It  may  be  traced  back  to  late  mediaeval 
German  and  Anglo-Saxon.  The  Swabian  verb  icuseln,  to  skip 
about  ("sicA  rasch  bea-efien^)  like  any  small  creature,  may 
readily  be  derived  from  wiesel,  notwithstanding  the  difference 
in  the  vowel.  In  this  case  again,  as  in  the  instance  of  daihs, 
the  same  word  recurs  in  Spanish,  but  without  the  diminutive 
termination,  as  veso.  It  is  found  in  mediaeval  Latin  of  the 
twelfth  century,  and  was  by  the  Romanic  colonists  bestowed 
upon  an  American  Musteline  animal  {Putorim  vison,  the  repre- 
sentative of  the  European  Mink).  The  ordinary  French  term 
for  the  Weasel,  bektte,  is  diminutive  of  the  old  French  bele, 
from  the  Celtic  and  the  present  Welch  hela,  a  marten,  and  also 
occurs  under  a  different  modification  in  North  Italy,  which 
was  certainly  once  inhabited  by  Celts.  It  may  all  the  more 
readily  have  been  preserved  in  French,  since  it  may  be  con- 
sidered related  to  belle,  pretty,  and  be  so  interpreted.  Certainly 
in  many  languages  the  Weasel  derives  its  name  from  its  neat 
and  elegant  ways,  as  the  Italian  donnola  and  Portuguese 
doninha,  little  lady;  the  Spanish  comadreja,  god-mother;  the 

'  *  According  to  RoUeston  ( Journ.  Anat.  aud  Pfays.  i.  1867,  p.  47  aeq.)  the  Cat 
aud  the  Marten  were  both  domesticated  in  Italy  nine  hundred  years  before 
the  period  of  the  Crusades,  and  the  latter,  Mustela  foina,  was  the  " cat"  or 
yaX^  of  the  ancients,  who,  furthermore,  called  Mustela  martea  yaTif/  iiypia,  and 
designated  Vherra  genetta  as  rapniama  ya/.i], — Tit. 


ETYMOLOGY  OF    NAMES   OF    MUSTELID.E. 


27 


andereigerra  *  of  the  iubabitauts  of  Biscay,  meauiug  the  same 
as  the  Portuguese  word  just  given;  the  late  Greek  >tjfi<piTa, 
v.ip'jz'^a,  a  bride;  the  Bavarian  Schonthierlein,  "pretty  little 
creature";  the  English  fairy  (Diez).  The  Sclavonic  tongues 
have  an  entirely  peculiar  series  of  names:  laska,  lasika,  lastiza, 
and  the  like. 

In  Greek  and  Latin  proper,  we  find  for  the  Musteline  ani- 
mals only  three  names,  which  are  all  different  from  those 
which  are  better  known  in  living  languages,  and  of  the  pres- 
ent existence  of  which  we  only  find  isolated  instances ;  these 
are  ixri^,  r«^-^'?)  ^.nd  mnstela. 

Pliny  uses  mnstela  in  different  places  for  native  and  exotic 
Mtistelidce,  without  furnishing  the  means  of  nicer  discrimina- 
tion of  the  species;  he  indicates  their  mousing  capacity ;  and 
Palladius  De  Be  Rust.  4,  9,  4,  says  that  they  were  kept  for  this 
purpose.  The  name  appears  to  be  derived  from  mus,  and  to 
mean  "a  mouser";  for  I  cannot  agree  with  Sundevall  in  recog- 
nizing in  the  second  syllable  the  Greek  *)j>a,  a  hunt;  since  * 
does  not  become  t  in  Latin.  According  to  Risso,  the  Weasel 
is  called  moustelle  to  this  very  day  iu  Xice,  and  in  Lorraine, 
according  to  Diez,  moteile;  this  is  a  partial  persistence  of  the 
name  which,  among  the  Romans,  not  only  indicated  the 
Weasel  as  the  species  best  known  to  them,  but  also  included 
the  other  Musteline  animals  iu  general.  So  it  was  also  with 
the  Greek  ya/Jr/  (Batrachomyomachia,  9)  or  ^a/.^  (Arist.  Hist. 
An.  2,  1,  and  his  not  very  well  written  book  9,  chap.  6),  the 
best-known  Greek  species  of  the  Marten  family,  yellowish, 
white  beneath,  and  a  mouser;  whilst  the  fable  that  it  was  a 
transformed  maiden  (Ovid,  Metam.  9,  306-323;  Galanthis, 
with  the  express  statement  that  the  beast  still  lived  about 
houses)  accords  well  with  the  complimentary  names  already 
mentioned.  Thps  mnstela  is  primarily  our  Weasel  [Putorius 
imlgaris]^  though  occasionally  other  species  receive  the  same 
name,  as,  for  example,  an  African  one,  in  Herodotus,  4,  192. 
More  difficult  to  explain  is  the  second  Greek  name,  ^  txrt?,  the 
skin  of  which,  according  to  Homer  (Iliad,  10,  333),  made  a 
night-cap  for  a  Trojan  hero,  and  which,  according  to  Pseudo- 
Aristotle,  Hist.  An.  9, 6,  was  of  the  size  of  a  small  Mr'.tese  dog 
{'■'■  Malteser  Hiindchens'^),  like  a  Weasel,  white  underneath,  and 
fond  of  honey.    This  latter  circumstance  caused  Cetti  to  sep- 

*  Precisely  the  same  as  the  Latin  tniilkrcHla. — Tii. 


I 

M  'I 


28 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


n 


\\i\ 


iP"' 


arate  his  boceamehi  ("honcj-mouth" — as  we  should  say,  "hav- 
ing a  sweet  tooth  "),  which  is,  however,  a  species  scarcely  dis- 
tinguishable from  P.  vulyaris  {ef.  Zool.  Gart.  1867,  p.  68).  Au- 
bert  and  Wimmer,  on  the  other  hand,  argue  for  Miistela  foina, 
as  this  animal  is  common  in  Greece,  where  it  is  still  called 
ixrU;  the  latter  jiosition  is  certainly  well  taken,  and  the 
Marten,  as  the  larger  animal,  better  fulfils  the  Homeric  indica- 
tion just  given;  but  the  expression  "white  underneath"  is 
only  true  of  the  throat  of  the  Martens,  for  both  species  of 
Muatela  are  dark-colored  on  the  belly,  and  in  this  respect  very 
different  from  the  Weasel.  For  the  rest,  it  is  much  more  prob- 
able that  Aristotle  named  both  the  Marten  and  the  Weasel 
together,  than  that  he  distinguished  two  kinds  of  Weasels  and 
knew  nothing  whatever  of  the  Marten. 

Hermelin  [Putorins  erminea]. — Though  this  name  soundii; 
like  a  foreign  word,  it  is  nevertheless  probably  of  German  ori- 
gin, since  not  only  are  there  several  provincial  variations  of 
less  strange  accent,  like  Heermunchen  and  Harmchen,  but  there 
is  also  the  simple  harmo  of  old  German  manuscripts  of  the 
ninth  to  the  eleventh  century  (Graff,  althochdeutscher  Sprach- 
schatz).  From  this  came  harmelhi,  of  the  twelfth  century,, 
simply  the  diminutive.  The  name  went  with  the  peltries  into 
foreign  lauds,  becoming  the  Italian  armelUno,  the  Spanish 
armino,  the  French  [and  English]  ermine — originally,  with  Al- 
bertus  Magnus,  who  had  many  French  forms  of  names,  erm'ini- 
«m, — and  came  back  to  the  German  as  Hermelin,  with  ^  foreign 
accent,  on  the  last  syllable.  The  she-fox  Ermeleyn,  in  the  Fable  of 
"Reinecke  Fuchs"  ["The  Beasts  at  Court"],  obviously  derived 
her  name  from  this  animal.  In  Lithuanian,  we  find  szarmii  or 
8zarmonys?i^  the  name  of  the  same  animal,  which  is  the  same  as 
harmo,  according  to  the  rules  for  the  rendering  of  the  sound, 
just  as  the  Lithuanian  szirtlis  is  the  German  herz.  The  inter- 
pretation of  Hermelin  as  the  "Armenian  Mouse"  is  thus  vir- 
tually refuted.  The  Swedes  call  the  animal  ross-kat  and  le-Mt, 
the  latter  probably  shortened  from  Lemmiwjskatze,  since  the 
creature  is  destructive  to  Lemmings.  In  North  France,  we  find 
for  the  Ermine  the  name  roselet,  obviously  indicating  its  red- 
dish coloi',  and  with  this  corresponds  the  fabulous  name  Riissel, 
offspring  of  the  Ermeleyn.  The  South  European  languages 
have  no  special  name  of  their  own  for  the  Ermine,  since  it  is 
there  found  only  in  the  mountains,  as  the  Southern  Alps  and 
the  Balkan  for  example. 


I 


I 
1 


% 

■■'■!■ 


^ 


ETYMOLOGY    OF    NAMES    OF    MUSTELID.E. 


29 


NoRZ  [Putorius  hUreola].— Thin  animal  is  at  ouce  proclaimed 
to  be  East  European  by  its  name;  for  the  word,  first  used  in 
Germany  by  the  Saxon  mineralogist  Agrieola,  in  1546,  is  Scla- 
vonic; the  Kussian  is  norka,  the  South  Russian  nortschil',  the 
Polish  nurek,  from  the  verb  nurka,  to  dive.  The  Swedes  alone, 
in  whose  country  the  animal  also  appears,  have  a  particular 
name  for  it,  mcink,  which  is  the  source  of  the  mink  or  miiix  ap- 
plied to  the  different  North  American  species  [P.  vison]. 

Otter  [Lutra  vulgaris], — To  the  comparative  philologist  this 
word  offers  a  field  as  broad  as  it  is  difl&cult,  for  the  names  of 
the  animal  in  various  European  languages  are  enough  alike  to 
be  compared,  yet  sufficiently  dissimilar  to  be  questioned  as  the 
same  word;  the  initial  particularly  differs  in  a  suspicious 
manner:  otter,  Ultra,  evudpiq.  In  Sanskrit  and  Zend,*  we  find 
for  an  aquatic  animal,  of  what  kind  is  not  known  with  cer- 
tainty, but  which  may  easily  have  been  the  Fish -otter,  the  name 
udra-s,  derived  from  the  root  ud,  water  (Latin  udus,  Greek  uSwp). 
With  this  agrees  perfectly  the  Lithuanian  udra,  the  Curlandic 
and  Livonian  nderis,  and,  with  slight  change  of  the  initial, 
wydra,  which  obtains  throughout  the  Sclavonic  tongues,  the 
Roumanian  vidre — all  of  which  are  actual  names  of  the  Otter. 
In  the  Germanic  languages,  the  u  becomes  o;  otr  in  the  old 
Northern  sagas,  ottar  in  old  mediaeval  German,  otter  in  the 
present  German,  Dutch,  Danish,  and  Swedish,  though  in  the 
latter  the  early  initial  u  sometimes  reappears,  giving  utter. 
The  change  of  d  into  t  is  the  rule  in  the  rendering  of  the  sound 
of  Sanskrit,  Greek,  Lithuanian,  and  Sclavonic  in  the  Germanic 
languages,  although  in  pure  German  this  consonant  properly 
changes  into  sharp  «  {udwp,  water — ^Hcasser^  as  is  not,  how- 
ever, the  case  with  the  name  of  the  animal. 

In  Greek,  we  find,  as  the  name  of  the  Otter,  hoSpn;,  Herod.  2, 
72,  and  4,  109,  ivu8p\i;,  Arist.  Hist.  An.  1, 1,  and  8,  5,  or  ho8poq^ 
Aelian  Hist.  An.  11, 37,  nearly  always  mentioned  in  connection 
with  the  Beaver;  also  the  forms,  agreeing  better  with  the  San- 
skrit, 83/>of,  lidpa,  the  former  for  an  actual  serpent  (Ilias,  2,  723, 
Arist.  Hist.  An.  2, 17,  83),  the  latter  for  a  fabulous  serpent  like 
monster  (Hesiod,  Theogon.  413,  &c.). 

In  Latin,  we  find  only  lutra,  Plin.  8,  30,  47,  which  differs  not 
only  in  the  initial,  but  also  in  the  t,  though  the  Latin  should 
agree  with  the  Greek  and  Sanskrit  and  differ  from  the  Ger- 

*Zend:  the  language  of  the  Avesta,  or  aucient  sacred  writings  of  the  Per- 
siauH.    The  people  who  used  it  were  a  branch  of  the  Asiatic  Aryans.— Tr. 


1^ 


b:i 


m 


i: 


nm 


i 


i'i  F 


I    ! 


ii  i: 


>  I  111 


30 


NORTH    AMERICAxV    MUSTELID.E. 


manic  in  respect  to  the  consonants.    This  Intra  obtains  in 

modern  Romanic  ages  with  littk;  variation ;  French,  la 

lout  re;   Italian 

in  soMje  Itali; 

itive  fif),  an 

[cf.  oHza,  o«i ,, 

luiria  or  loirUt. 


ortugaese,  lontra  /  Asturian,  londra  ; 
.ects,  lodra,  ludria  (preserving  the  prim- 
.a  (which  bears  lightly  upon  the  name  unze 
ounce]  among  the  cats  [Felidie] ;  Provencal, 
The  >i  in  many  of  these  names  may  simply  be 
a  matter  of  easy  pronunciation.  Curiously  enough,  we  find 
in  Norway,  far  removed  from  Romanic  influence,  a  name  of  the 
Otter  of  similar  sound,  slenter. 

The  Spaniard  says  nutria.  This  may  be  an  arbitrary  corrup- 
tion of  Ultra;  but  when  we  recall  the  Greek  huSpt^,  and  consider 
that  many  Spanish  names  of  animals  are  nearer  the  Greek 
than  the  Latin  (for  example,  (jolondrinasix-^'^^'''  [*  swallow], 
and  galapago  in  the  first  two  syllables  =;f?A((ii/ij  [a  turtle]), 
it  seems  very  likely  that  nutria  is  derived  from  svoUpt^'',  and  it 
may  be  seriously  questioned  whether  the  latter  is  actually  com- 
pounded of  h  and  Idwp,  not  rather  that  the  v  represents  the  I  in 
Intra,  and  that  the  s  is  simply  a  prefix,  as  in  iXaxv^  =  the  San- 
skrit lag  hus=:the  Latin  levis.  Initial  I  and  n  are  sometimes  in- 
terchangeable, as  for  instance  in  the  Greek  Urpov  and  virpov, 
the  Latin  lamellassthe  Proven5al  namela  (Ourtius,  Griechische 
Etym.  395).  The  primitive  IndoGermanic  word  from  which 
all  the  above  are  conjecturally  derived  probably  did  not  begin 
with  a  pure  vowel,  since  a  consonant  precedes  it  in  so  many  of 
the  foregoing  forms,  as  the  o  in  Sclavonic,  the  I  in  Latin,  and 
the  rough  aspirate  in  Greek. 

The  German  word  otter,  when  it  signifies  a  snake,  is  femi- 
nine ;  when  used  for  the  quadruped  it  is  indifferently  masculine 
or  feminine.  The  former  is  justifiable,  inasmuch  as  the  old 
Northern  otr  or  otur  is  masculine ;  to  make  it  feminine  may  be 
partly  on  account  of  its  identity  with  the  name  of  the  serpent, 
partly  from  its  analogy  with  the  Romanic  lutra.  Albertus 
Magnus  furthermore  converted  lutra  into  the  masculine  form. 
Inter,  In  the  Middle  Ages,  finally,  there  arose  the  Latin 
word  hitrix,  as  the  name  of  a  snake,  formed  from  lutra  by  anal- 
ogy with  natrix,  and  apparently  furnishing  an  imitation  of  the 
double  employ  of  otter. 

On  account  of  its  similarity  in  form  and  its  kindred  significa- 
tion, I  cannot  refrain  from  mentioning  in  this  connection  the 
word  natter  [viper,  a  kind  of  snake].  In  spite  of  the  Spanish 
nudria,  I  believe  that  it  has  nothing  to  do  with  otter,  though 


ETYMOLOGY    OF    NAMES    OF    MUSTELIDiE. 


31 


the  two  are  often  coufounded  by  persons  not  learned  in  natural 
history,  or  considered  of  similar  signification.  It  is  an  old 
word,  appearing  in  the  Latin  of  Cicero  as  natrix  (Qu.  Acad.  2, 
28);  in  the  Gothic  of  Ultilas  as  nadrs,  masculine  moreover, 
Ev.  Luc.  3,  7,  where  the  Greek  text  has  lyidva,  and  Luther 
translated  ^^  otter",  but  at  that  time  already  feminine  in  the  old 
Northern  nadhra.  The  same  word  is  also  found  in  Celtic.  This 
wide  diffusion  of  the  word  makes  it  probable  that  the  Latin 
natrix  is  not  to  be  interpreted  as  a  swimmer,  as  if  from  nare 
=natare ;  in  general,  people  take  ^^ natter"  for  a  poisonous 
serpent,  not  simply  as  a  water-snake,  and  the  specific  applica- 
tion of  the  term  to  the  Coluber  natrix  Linn,  is  of  later  origin. 
Many  philologists  derive  the  word  from  an  old  root,  na  (Ger- 
man nahen,  Latin  neo,  Greek  >^<(*),  in  the  sense  of  coiling 
("wwic/tnitrew");  cf.  Latin  necto. 

We  may  briefly  treat  of  other  names  of  the  Otter.  The 
Celtic  languages  have  a  particular  term,  Gaelic  dobran,  Cymric 
dyfrgi.  The  Tartaric  Icama  has  probably  given  name  to  the 
largest  tributary  of  the  Volga.  In  many,  particularly  Asiatic, 
languages,  our  animal  is  called  by  some  equivalent  of  "  water- 
dog"  or  "river-dog";  as  in  the  Dekan  paniciitta;  in  the  Ca- 
naries (and  also  in  the  East  Indies),  nir-nai;  Malayan,  andjing- 
ayer ;  whilst  the  xui/s?  r.oTdix'jn  of  Aelian,  14,  21,  appear  to  have 
been  Otters. 


;  i    I 
iiiii! 


CHATTER    II. 


!JI'fi<i 


li  isi4 


llwW 


ill 


'iVV 


V.:\i 


Subfamily  MUSTELIN.E:  The  Wolverene. 

The  geiins  Guh — Generic  characters— Gn/o  luscua,  the  Wolverene — Syn- 
onymy— Habitat — Specific  characters — Description  of  external  charac- 
ters— Measurements — Anal  glands — Description  of  the  skull  and  teeth- 
Measurements  of  skulls,  European  and  American — Nomenclature  of  the 
species — Relation  of  the  European  and  American  animal — General  his- 
tory, geographical  distribution,  and  habits  of  the  species — Its  distribu- 
tion in  the  Old  World. 

HAVING  already  presented  the  characters  of  the  subfamily 
Muatelincc  with  detail  sufficing  for  present  purposes,  I  may 
at  once  proceed  to  consider  the  genera  composing  the  group. 
These  are :  Oulo;  Oalictis;  Mustela;  Putorim.  The  second  of 
these  is  not  represented  in  North  America.  Putoriua  is  sus- 
ceptible of  division  into  several  subgenera.  These  genera  will 
be  treated  in  successive  chapters,  the  present  being  devoted  to 
the  genus  Otilo. 

The  Genus  GULO.    (Store,  1780.) 

<  Mustela,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  lOtb  ed.  1758,  anil  of  many  authors. 

<  Vrsus,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  lOtb  ed.  1758,  and  of  gome  authors. 

<  Heles,  PaU.  Spio.  Zool.  xlv.  1780 ;  also  of  Boddoert,  1784. 

=6ul0i  Storr,*  Prod.  Meth.  Mamm.  1780,  and  of  late  authors  generally.    (From  Klein.) 

<  Taxus,  Tiedem.  Zool.  1.  1803. 

*  This  extremely  rare  work  has  lately  been  made  the  subject  of  a  critical 
essay  by  Prof.  T.  Gill,  who  examined  a  copy  in  the  library  of  the  Surgeon- 
Gene;  al,  U.  S.  Army,  at  Washington  ("On  the  'Prodromus  Method!  Mam- 
malium '  of  Storr".  By  TLaodore  Gill.  Extracted  from  the  Bulletin  of  the 
Philosophical  Society  of  Washington,  October,  1874.  Philadelphia :  Collins, 
printer,  1876.  8vo.  pamph.,  1  p.  1.,  pp.  i-xiii).  The  full  title,  as  quoted  by 
Gill,  is  as  follows : — 

Prodromv.s  Methodi  Mammamvm. I  Rectore  Vnirersitatis  maguifi- 

centissimo  |  sereuissimo  atqve  potentissimo  |  dvce  ac  domino  |  Carolo  |  dvce 
Wvrtembergise  ac  Tecciaa   regnante,  j  rel.  rel.  |  —  |  Ad  institveudam  |  ex 
decreto  gratioste  facvltatis    medicse  |  pro  legitime  oonseqvendo  |  doctoris 
medicinse  gradv  |  inavgrralem  dispvtationem  |  propositvs  |  pr^eside  |  Gottl. 
CoNR.  Christ.  Storr  |  medicinee  doctore,  hvivs,  chemiee  et  botanices  |  pro- 
fessore  pvblioo  ordiuario  |  vuiversitatis  H.  T.  pro-i-ectore,  |  respondente  | 
FridericoWolffer,  |  Bohnlandense.  |  —  (  TvUngce,d.Jul.MDCCLXXX.  \  —  | 
Litteria  Reissianis.    [4to,  43  pp.,  4  tables.] 
39 


THE   GENUS   GULO. 


33 


J>'»-  TTj 


Geneiuc  CHARACTEU8.— Z)e«<<(l  formula  :  i.  '{^^  ;  c.  ~r] 
m.  ^  J  =7,-^  =  38  (as  in  irmtela).  Sectoilaltooth  of  lower  jaw  (anterior  true 
M.)  without  an  internal  cuap  (usually  evident  in  3/«s/e?fl).  Anteorbltal  fora- 
men presenting  obliquely  upward  as  well  as  forward,  canal-like,  and  open- 
ing over  interspace  between  last  and  penultimate  premolars.  Skull  little 
constricted  at  the  middle  ;  rostral  portion  relatively  shorter,  stouter,  and 
more  obliquely  truncated  anteriorly  than  in  Mustda.  General  apper  outline 
of  the  skull  in  profile  more  arched.  Mastoids  and  auditory  tubes  more  pro- 
duced, the  whole  periotic  region  decidedly  more  prominent.  Zygomatio 
arch  very  high  behind,  at  first  ascending  vertically,  then  giving  oflf  a  pos- 
terior convexity.  Depth  of  emargination  of  palate  about  equal  to  distance 
thence  to  the  molars.  Skull,  as  a  whole,  massive,  finally  developing  strong 
ridges. 

Fertebral  formula :  c.7  ;  d.  15 ;  ?.  5  ;  «.  3 ;  cd.  1.5  or  16.  (Gerrard.) 
Size  much  above  the  average  for  this  family,  and  nearly  at  a  maximum 
{lialictia  alone,  of  this  subfamily,  is  said  to  be  larger).  Form  very  stout, 
and  general  appearance  rather  Bear-like  than  Weasel-like ;  organization  ro- 
bust. Legs  short  and  stout.  Tail  short  (about  as  long  as  the  head),  bushy, 
with  drooping  hairs.  Pelage  shaggy.  Ears  low.  Soles  densely  hairy,  with 
six  small  naked  pads.  Claws  strong,  acute,  much  curved.  Coloration  pe- 
culiar.* Anal  glands  moderately  developed.  Progression  incompletely  plan- 
grade.    Habits  chiefiy  terrestrial. 

Notwithstanding  the  remarkably  peculiar  outward  aspect  of 
GhJo  in  comparison  with  its  allies,  it  is  very  closely  related  to 
the  Martens  in  structure,  forbidding  more  than  generic  distinc- 
tion from  Mustela.  The  dental  formula  is  the  same.  In  addi- 
tion to  the  cranial  characters  above  given,  it  may  be  stated 
that  the  skull  is  relatively  as  well  as  absolutely  more  massive 
than  that  of  the  arboreal  Martens,  in  coordination  with  the  much 
more  robust  and  sturdy  organization  of  the  Wolverene. 

Detailed  descriptions  of  the  skull  and  teeth,  as  well  as  of 
the  external  characters  of  the  genus,  are  given  beyond  under 
the  head  of  the  single  known  species,  O.  Iu8cu8. 

The  generic  name  is  the  Latin  gulo,  a  glutton,  in  allusion  to 
the  voracity  of  the  animal.  The  obvious  relation  of  the  word 
is  with  the  Latin  gula,  throat  or  gullet,  also  used  figuratively 
for  appetite  or  gluttony ;  and  in  various  languages  the  vernac- 
ular name  of  the  species  is  a  word  of  similar  signification. 
^'  Gulo  "  was  the  original  specific  name  in  the  binomial  nomen- 
clature; but  its  application  to  the, present  animal  was  origi- 
nally simply  by  translation  into  Latin  of  the  Scandinavian 
and  Russian  vernacular  (cf.  anted,,  p.  22). 

*  In  the  pattern  of  coloration,  however,  we  discern  the  trace  of  the  same 
character  that  is  fully  developed  in  Mephitis  mephitiva— the  light  bands,  con- 
verging over  the  rump,  being  similar  to  the  stronger  white  stripes  which 
mark  the  Skunk. 

3  M 


l\ 


I'i 


84 


NORTH  AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


The  Wolverene. 

Onlo  luiicu*. 

Plats  I. 


m  I 


III 


(1.  Old  World  rtjfereneeii.) 

GulO,  anci'/uorum.— "Cf(!«n.  Quad.  Vivip.  1551,  633,  flg.— 0(.  Ifo^.  Hitt.  Gent.  Sept.  15SS, 
Va.—Aldrov.  Quad.  Dig.  1045,  m.—Seheff.  Lappon.  1673,  339.— OAaWtt,  Exerclt.  1077, 
15.-j;;aez.  Hist.  Nat.  Polon.  1791,  318.— Linn.  S.  X.  9d-5th  eda.  1740-7,  AA.— Klein, 
Quad.  1751,  B3,  pi.  i.—HUl,  Hist.  An.  1753,  546,  pi.  Vl.—Jonit.  Theatr.  1755,  131,  pi. 
57." 

MustcU  ruro'fuscii,  medio  dorM  nlgro,  L.  Fn.  Suec.  lat  ed.  1746,  9,  no.  6;  S.  K.  6th-7th 
edit.  1748,  5,  DO.  1 Kram.  Elenob.  Vef{.  et  Anim.  1756,  311. 

Mustel*  gUlO,  L.  Fn.  Saeo.  3d  od.  1761,  5,  no.  14;  S.  N.  i.  10th  ed.  1753,  45,  no.  3;  S.  N.  i. 

13tb  ed.  1766,  67,  no.  h.—Ounn.  Act.  Midros.  ill.  191,  pi.  3,  f.  S.— JETouM.  Natura.  ii 

169,  pi.  14,  f.  i—MM.  Zool.  Dan.  Prod,  1776,  3,  no.  Xi.—Erxl  Syst.  An.  1777,  477,  no. 
li.—FaJb.  Fn.  Grwnl.  17»0,  31,  no.  19. 

I'rsHS  gUlo,  Sehreh.  Siing.  ill.  1778,  535,  pis.  144  (Act.  Holm.  1773)  and  144*  (Buff.).— Zimm. 
Oeog.  Oescta.  ii.  17d0,  376,  no.  168.-Om.  S.  X.  i.  1788,  104,  no.  %.—Shaw,  O.  '£.  i.  1800, 
460,  pi.  104.— Tur(.  S.  N.  i.  1806,  64.— Cuv.  "Tabl.  fil6m. — ,  113.  "—'J'.  Cuv.  Diet. 
Sci.  Nat.  xix.7D,  f— ," 

Heles  gUlO,  PaU.  Spic.  Zool.  xiv,  1780,  iiS.  pi.  3;  Z.  R.  A.  i,  1831,  73,  no.  Vi.—Bodd.  Blench. 
An.  i.  1784,  81,  no.  5. 

T«XH8  gUlOi  Tiedem,  Zool.  i.  1808,  377. 

OulO  borealls,  "A'tl««.  Ilium.  Fig.  till  Sknud.  Fn."— "Kcfz.  Fn.  Suec.  1800,  S.V"— Our.  It.  A. 
1.  1817,  —.—^Yar|n.  Suppl.  Schreb.  ii.  1841,  ^M.—Keyg.  •«  Bias.  Wirb.  Eur.  lH4i), 
r,6.—lichim.  Syn.  Mamm.  1844,  Mt.—Bla*.  Wirb.  Deutscbl.  1837,  309,  iigs.  Ill),  Vid 
(sknll).— £ran(i(,  Bemerk.  Wirb.  N.  K.  Kussl.  185-,  W.—Qray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 130. 

Golo  siblrlcus,  PaM.  "Sp.  Zool.  xiv.  t.  3".— (Oray.) 

Onlo  arctleus,  Dttm.  Mamm.  i.  183U,  174.— £m«.  Mam.  1837,  Ui.— Fitch.  Syn.  1829, 131.— 
Oieb.  Siiug.  1855,  ^^.—Fit^inger,  Naturg.  Saug.  1. 1861,  341,  f.  70. 

dnlo  TUlgarlit,  OHff.  An.  Klngd.  v.  1837, 117,  no.  331.— J7.  Smith,  Nat.  Lib.  xv.  1843,  908. 

Onlo  leucaras,  "Htd9nhorg".—(Qray.) 

BossonskS,  Ruttian.—" Nitremb.  Hist.Nat.  1635,  \6d.—Rouom(Kk,BeU.  Trav.i.  1763,  331.— 
Rotomaeh,  Ryttoh.  Orenb.  Topog.  i.  1773,  337.— Aotomai,  SUlUr,  Besohr.  Kamt.  1774, 
118. " 

TeelvrMt,  "  Tsbr.  Seize  oaar  China,  1704,  31.— .ffoutt.  Nat  Hist.  Dier.  ii.  1761, 189,  pi.  14, 
f.  i."— Dutch. 

Tlclfrasti,  £I«tn,  op.  et  loo.  cU.—J.  0.  Om.  Reise  Siblr.  ill.  1751,  493 MiilUr,  Natura.  i. 

1773,  365,  pi.  14,  f.  4  (ex.  Hoatt.).— Fon  Marteixt,  Zool.  Qart.  xi.  1870,  353  (philologi- 
cal).—Oerman. 

TlelfrM,  HaUen,  Naturg.  Tblere,  1757,  549. 

fiOHloi,  Bomare,  Diet.  d'Hist.  Nat.  ii.  1768,  343. 

fllOMlOB.  Bomare,  torn.  cU.  333.-Buf.  HUt.  Nat.  xiii.  1765,  378 ;  Snppl.  iii,  340,  pi.  48.  - 
French. 

eintlOB,  Ptnn.  Syn.  Qnad.  1771, 190.—Engli«h. 

itrt,3ldn,¥iltru,A'onoegian, 

JM,  Jtrj,  Flltrws,  8wedith,—Gen^rg,  Act.  Stuokh.  1773,  333,  pi.  7,  8. 

Wtttk,  LapUmdert. 

(B.  Anuriean  r<iftrenee».) 

€o»tl  unulo  Mfflnls  «merlcuu8,  JETInn,  Quad.  1751,  74. 

linos  fk'rtiJhHdsoBis,  £r{«f.  Qnad.  1736, 963,  no.  3.  '     • 


'I 
Si-' 


SYNONYMY   OF   OULO   LUSCUH. 


85 


Vrsus  InsCHS,  L,  8.  N.  i.  nsS,  47,  no.  9j  1766,  71,  DO.  4  (based  on  Briston  and  Edwards).— 
Erxl.  Synt.  Anlm.  1777,  167,  no.  i.—Schrtb.  Saug.  Hi.  177ei,  ^39.—Zimm.  Oeogr.  OcMh. 
ii.  1780,  376,  no.  169.— Om.  8.  X.  1.  1788, 103,uo.  4.—fthav;  O.  Z.  1.  1800,  469,  pi.  103, 
lower  flfc-  (kfter  Edward*).— rurt.  8.  N.  1.  1H06.  64. 

\n\h  iTRCri,  Fabric.  Fn.  Qrwnl.  1780,  94,  No.  14. 

M«l«li  Inwui,  Bodd.  Elenob.  An.  i.  1784,  80. 

OhIo  Ihicm,  /.  Sab.  Franklin's  Jonrn.  1893,  6S0.— J?.  Sab.  Siippl.  Parry's  Ut  Voy.  1894, 
p.  clxxilv— Ificfc.  App.  Parry's  9d  Voy.  1893,  91)9  — .Bic/i.  F.  H.A.  1.  1899,  il.— Finch. 
8yn.  1899,  154.— Oodm.  Am.  N.  H.  I.  1831.  11^5,  pi.—,  lower  &g.-Roii$,  Exp.  IKIS.  8.— 
H.  SmUh,  Nat.  Lib.  xt.  1849,  908.— D«  Kay,  N.  Y.  Zoi)!.  i.  1849,  97,  pi.  19,  f.  i.—Oraj/, 
List  Mamm.  Br.  Miis.  1843,  68.— Aud.  <fi  Baeh.  Quad.  X.  A.  i.  1840,  903,  pi.  96.— 
Thompi.  N.  H.  Vorninnt,  1853,  30.— Baird.  Stansbury's  Report,  1859,  311  (Great  Salt 
Lake,  Utah) ;  M.  K.  A.  1857,  XSl.—Bittingi,  Canad.  Kat.  and  Oeol.  1.  1857,  941.— Aom, 
op.  oit.  Ti.  1861, 30, 441.— Maxim.  Arch.  Xaturg.  1861,-!  Verz.  N.-Aui.  SUug.  1869, 35.— 
Otrr.  Cat  Bones  Br.  Mim.  1869,  96  (Includes  Imth).— OouM,  Am.  Kat.  I.  1867,  359 — 
Dall,  Ari.  Nat.  Iv.  1870,  991  (Tnkon).— AU<h,  Bull.  M.  C.  Z.  1. 1870,  177  (Massarhu- 
setts).— ir«rr.  IT.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Terr.  1879,  669  ( WyominK).— AU<n,  Ball.  Essex.  Inst, 
vi.  1874,  54  (Montgomery,  Colorado).- iV<;iii«,  apud  Couti,  Birds  K.  W.  1874,  994, 
in  text  (Clear  Creek  County,  Colorado).- Coum  <t  Tarrow.  ZoJil.  Expl.  W.  100 
Merld.  v.  1875,  61  (Wahsatoh  Mountains  and  localities  in  Utah). 

Ouio  «rcllCUH,  var.  A.,  Dettn.  Mamm.  i.  1890,  174,  no.  967.— flaW.  Fu.  Amer.  1895,  60. 

flulo  wolverene,  Oriff.  An.  Kingd.  v.  1897, 117,  no.  339. 

i'Krnijon.  La  Bontan,  Voy.  1703,  BX.—Sarraiin,"  Mim.  Acad.  Sci.  Paris,  1713,  p.  19.— J7u- 
mare,  Diet.  d'Hist.  Xat.  i.  1768,  493.— B-<ncA  Canadiani.  {Sot  of  F.  Ouvier,  Suppl. 
Buff.)    (Also,  Carkajou,  Karkajoti.    Compare  Cree  Indian  names.) 

l^arc^JOU  or  QueeqUChMCb,  Dobbt,  Hudson  Bay,  1744,  40. 

Quickhatch  or  Wolf  erenc,  Edw.  Birds,  ii.  pi.  l03.—EUii,  Hudson's  Bay,  i.  1750,  40,  pi.  4. 
{Quickthatch  and  Qinquihatvh  are  also  found.    Compare  Cree  Indian  names.) 

WolTcrene,  Penn.  Syn.  Quad.  1771,  195,  no.  4U,  pi.  90,  f.  9;  Hist.  Quad.  ii.  1781,  8,  pi.  fl; 

Arct.  Zool.  i.  1784,  66,  no.  il.—Heam*,  .Tourn. ,  313.— Church,  Cob.  Quad.  ii.  1805, 

pi.  — .     (Also,   jyoloerenne,   Wolveren,   Wolverin,   Wulveriufi,    Wolveyinj.)—Volveren«, 
Lest.  Man.  1827,  142  (In  text). 

Orinte  amerlcaBlsrhe  nalbfUcha,  Hall.  KaturK.  Thiore,  1757,  518. 

Wolfbeer,  Houtt.  Katuur.  Hist.  Dieren,  ii.  ii'.-Wol/iibar,  Milll.  Naturs.l.  1773,  985. 

Ours  de  la  baye  de  Hudson,  Brits,  op.  et  toe.  eit. 

Okcecoobawgew,  Okeecoohawgces,  One  Indianii.  (Obvious  derivation  uf  Quiokhatck,  if 
not  also  of  Carcajou.)  • 

Hab. — Arctogaa.  In  America,  tbe  whole  of  the  British  Proriuces  and 
Alaska,  south  in  the  United  States  to  New  England  and  New  York,  and  still 
further  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  to  at  least  39^. 

Specific  chauactkrs. — Sub-plantigrade,  thick-set,  shaggy,  bushy-tailed, 
with  thick  legs  and  low  ears ;  blackitih,  with  a  light  lateral  band  meeting 
its  fellow  over  the  root  of  the  tail,  thus  encircling  a  dark  dorsal  area .:  fore- 
head light ;  2-3  feet  long ;  tail-vertebra3  6-9  inches. 

Description  of  external  charactersA 

Tbe  form  of  this  aDimal  iudicates  great  strength,  without 
correspondiug  activity.  The  body  is  heavy  and  almost  clumsy, 
supported  upon  thick-set  and  rather  low  legs ;  the  walk  is  in- 
completely plantigrade.    The  back  is  high-arched,  the  general 


*  Special  paper :  Histoire  d'un  animal  nomm6  Carcfyou  en  Am^rique,  &o. 
t  Taken  from  a  mounted  specimen,  from  Great  Salt  Lake,  Utah,  in  tbe 
National  Museum. 


•  •  ♦. 


,  .  •  .    •  •  t 


86 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELIDiE. 


m 


figure  (Iroopiug  both  before  and  behind,  both  tail  and  head  being 
carried  low.  The  general  appearance  is  strikingly  that  of  a 
Bear  cub,  with  the  addition  of  a  bushy  tail,  though  there  is 
somewhat  of  the  elongation  which  characterizes  the  Muatelidw. 
The  head  is  broad  and  much  rounded  on  every  side,  with  rather 
short  and  pointed  muzzle,  wide  apart  eyes,  and  low  ears, 
alt.getber  not  very  dissimilar  from  that  of  Mmtela  pennanti. 
Tho  jaws,  however,  are  rather  Canine  in  appearance.  The 
muffle  and  septum  of  the  nose  are  naked,  the  former  for  about 
half  an  inch  from  the  end  of  the  snout.  The  eyes  are  remark- 
ably small.  The  ears  are  low,  much  broader  than  high,  obtusely 
rounded,  well  furred  on  both  sides,  scarcely  overtopping  the  fur 
of  the  parts.  The  whiskers  are  few  and  short ;  there  are  other 
similar  bristles  about  the  head.  The  pelage,  as  usual,  is  of  two 
kinds ;  there  is  a  short  under-fur,  a  kind  of  coarse  kinky  wool 
scarcely  an  inch  long,  which  is  mixed  with  the  longer  stiflfer 
and  straightish  over-hairs,  which  are  about  four  inches  long  on 
the  sides,  flanks,  and  hips,  giving  the  animal  a  shaggy  aspect, 
like  a  Bear.  On  the  fore  parts,  and  especially  the  head,  how- 
ever, the  coat  is  much  shorter  and  closer.  The  tail  is  clothed 
with  still  longer  hairs,  measuring  some  six  or  eight  inches, 
drooping  downward  and  conferring  a  peculiar  shape,  as  if  this 
member  were  deficient  at  the  end.  The  tail-vertebrte  are  one- 
fourth,  or  rather  more,  of  the  length  of  head  and  body.  The 
legs  are  very  stout  and  the  feet  large ;  the  track  of  the  animal 
resembles  that  of  a  small  Bear,  b.it  it  is  less  completely  planti- 
grade. The  palms  and  soles  are  densely  furry ;  but  the  balls 
of  the  digits  are  naked,  and  among  the  hairs  may  be  discerned 
small  naked  pads  at  the  bases  of  the  digits,  as  well  as  a  larger 
one  beneath  the  carpus,  the  correspondent  to  which  on  the  heel 
is  apparently  wanting.  The  fourth  front  digit  is  longest;  then 
comes  the  third,  fifth,  second,  and  first,  which  last  is  very  short. 
On  the  hind  feet,  the  third  is  longest,  the  fourth  little  shorter ; 
then  follow  the  second,  fifth,  and  first. 

In  color,  the  Wolverene  is  blackish,  or  deep  dusky  brown, 
with  a  remarkable  broad  band  of  chestnut  or  yellowish-brown, 
or  even  fading  to  a  dingy  brownish-white,  beginning  behind 
the  shoulders,  running  along  the  sides,  and  turning  up  to  meet 
its  fellow  on  the  ru  jip  and  base  of  the  tail,  circumscribing  a 
dark  dorsal  area.  There  is  a  light-colored  grayish  area  on  the 
front  and  sides  of  the  head.  On  the  throat,  and  between  the 
fore  legs,  there  isia  pat^h,/)r  fi\ie^f>  ^re  several  irregular  spots     j 


DESCRIPTION   OF   GULO    LUSCUS.  m 

of  light  color,  as  in  Mvstcla.  The  legs,  feet,  most  of  the  tail, 
and  under  parts  generally,  are  quite  blackish.  The  claws  are 
whitish,  strong,  sharp,  much  curved,  and  about  an  inch  long. 

"The  color  of  tl'o  fur  varies  much  according  to  the  season 
and  age.  The  younger  animals  are  invariably  darker  in  the 
shadings  than  the  old,  which  exhibit  more  of  the  grey  mark- 
ings. ...  In  some  specimens  the  yellowish  fringing  of  the 
sides  and  rump  is  almost  entirely  white  and  of  larger  extent, 
leaving  but  a  narrow  stripe  on  the  centre  of  the  back  dark.  In 
such  the  hoary  markings  of  the  head  would  be  of  greater  extent, 
and  descend,  most  probably,  to  the  shoulders." — (Ross,  I.  c.) 

Meaeurcmiuta  of  seren  specimens  of  GULO  IX'SCUS, 


a 


356 
1092 
1093 
1057 
16tH 


t 


Locality. 


Port  Simpaoii,  H.  B.  T 
Yakon  Kiver,  Alaska . 

do 

Peel's  River  (Dec.) ... 

do 

Mackenzie's  River 

Montana,  U.S 


From  tip  of  nose       Tailto 
to—  end  of— 


e 


S    I      a 

5   '    H 


I 


60  5. 
10  5. 
00  5. 
70  3. 
75  4. 
80  C. 


00:6. 

50(). 
lOJS. 
15j«. 
•jl,6. 
10  S. 


26.  50, 
31.  00 
29. 25 
29.  00 
27.00 
34.  bO; 
36.00 


— I- 

r.4o 

r.60 

?.60 
).25 
iOO, 

r».  00' 
8.90 


^ 


12.40 
13.60 
13.10 
15. 00 
13.00 


Lcnctli 
oi- 


00 

00 

50 
5.10 


13.00:4.40 
14.00! 


7.10 
(i.  75 
li.  70 
6.50 


o  g 

a 
H 
'A 


2. 00 


Fresh. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

Dry. 


'*Krora  Ross.     Longest  iiairsof  body  4.00;  of  tail  7.50;  upper  canines  0.90;  lower  0.75. 
t  From  Baird. 

Anal  glands. 

The  anal  glands  of  this  animal  are  stated  to  be  of  about  the  size 
of  a  walnut;  the  fluid  yellowish-brown  and  of  the  consistency 
of  honey.  The  discharge  is  by  the  usual  lateral  papillse  within 
the  verge  of  the  anus.    The  scent  is  foetid  in  a  high  degree. 


Description  of  the  sliuU  and  teeth.    (See  Plate  I.)     ,. 

The  massiveness  of  the  skull  of  Gitlo,  in  comparison  with  that 
of  Mustela,  is  as  striking  as  its  superiority  in  size.  In  general 
form,  the  prominent  peculiarity  is  the  strong  convexity  of  the 
upper  outline  in  profile.  From  the  highest  point,  just  behind 
the  orbits,  the  skull ..'  ^nes  rapidly  downward  behind;  and  the 
frontal  declivity  is  also  iu.'';h  greater  than  in  Mustela.    There 


I 


38 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^E. 


Ill 


III 


ill 

liiii'  iil! 


M 

1:1  J I 


is  much  more  of  a  troutal  concavity,  and  the  plane  of  the  nasal 
orifice  is  extremely  oblique.  These  features  of  the  profile  rather 
suggest  a  Feline  than  a  Musteline  skrull,  although,  of  course,  the 
resemblance  is  still  far  from  complete.  There  is  a  strong  char- 
acter in  the  zygoma :  in  2[ustela  a  simple  arch ;  here  a  nearly 
horizontal  beam  borne  posteriorly  upon  an  upright  base,  with 
a  strongly  convex  backwardly  projecting  elbow.  The  same 
straightness  requires  a  prominent  process  for  definition  of  this 
part  of  the  orbit.  The  zygoma  is  laminar  and  quite  deep,  much 
more  so  than  in  Mustela,  Viewed  from  above,  the  zygomata 
are  widely  divergent  from  before  backward.  The  anteorbital 
foramen  is  comparatively  small,  and  appea.  over  the  fore  bor- 
der of  the  sectorial  tooth.  Prominent  characters  are  observed 
in  the  paroccipital  and  mastoid,  which  form  great  processes  of 
abutment  against  the  bullne,  the  same  being  only  moderate  in 
Mustela,  and  merely  indicated  in  the  smaller  Weasels.  The  pal- 
ate is  very  broad  for  its  length,  with  straight  (not  a  little  con- 
cave) sides ;  measured  across  its  broadest  point,  it  forms  very 
nearly  an  equilateral  triangle  with  the  sides.  The  posterior 
emargination  is  moderate,  broadly  U-shaped.  The  bullae  audi- 
torice  are  only  inflated  on  less  than  the  interior  half,  the  rest 
being  greatly  contracted  and  drawn  out  into  a  long  tubular 
meatus  (one  extreme,  of  which  the  other  is  seen  in  the  slender- 
bodied  species  of  Gale — compare  descriptions).  The  basi- 
occipital  space  is  somewhat  wedge-shaped,  owing  to  the  diverg- 
ence posteriorly  of  the  bullre.  The  pterygoids  are  very  stout 
at  base,  but  soon  become  laminar,  and  terminate  in  long,  slen- 
der, hamular  processes.  Even  in  young  skulls,  the  lambdoidal 
crests  are  as  strong  and  flaring  as  in  the  oldest  of  Mtistela,  and 
terminate  in  the  very  prominent  mastoids.  The  occipital  sur- 
face is  considerably  excavated  beneath  these  crests;  the  mediau 
superior  protuberance  is  great.  The  condition  of  the  sagittal 
crest  varies,  as  usual,  with  age.  In  the  youngest  specimens,  it 
is  single  and  median  for  but  a  little  way,  then  gradually  divar- 
icates on  either  hand  to  the  supraorbital  process ;  in  the  old- 
est, the  divarication  only  begins  more  than  half-way  forward, 
a  high,  thin  crest  occupying  the  rest  of  the  median  line.  The 
general  shape  of  the  brain-box,  viewed  from  above,  is,  in  con- 
•equence  of  the  breadth  and  depression  of  the  skall  behind, 
neither  the  ovate  nor  the  somewhat  cylindrical,  as  obtains  in 
Mustela  and  Putorius,  but  rather  trapezoidal,  somewhat  as  in 
Taxidea.    The  body  of  the  under  jaw  is  shaped  exactly  as  in 


SKULL  AND  TEETH  OP  GULO  LUSCUS. 


39 


Mnstela,  though  it  is  more  massive,  but  the  coronoid  is  differ- 
ent. Its  back'  border  rises  straight  and  perpendicularly,  the 
anterior  border  curving  strongly  backward  to  meet  it  in  a 
rounded  obtuse  apex.  In  Muatela,  the  borders  gradually  ap- 
proximate to  each  other  and  meet  more  acutely.  M.  pennanti 
alone  is  much  like  Otilo  in  this  respect. 

Eeviewing  general  cranial  characters  from  the  small  Oale  to 
the  large  Oulo,  we  see  with  increase  of  mere  size  a  correspond- 
ing increment  of  massiveness;  a  graduation  in  obliquity  of  the 
plane  of  the  end  of  the  muzzle ;  a  lengthening  and  constriction 
(on  the  whole)  of  the  rostrum ;  an  increase  of  the  convexity  of 
the  upper  profile ;  a  depression  of  the  zygomata  from  regular 
arches  to  a  shape  higher  behind  and  more  nearly  horizontal  in 
continuity;  enlargement  of  paroccipitals  and  mastoids;  con- 
striction and  lateral  elongation  of  the  buUse  into  auditory 
tubes ;  and  a  flattening  and  widening  behind,  and  correspond- 
ing contraction  in  front  of,  the  brain-box. 

The  dentition  shares  the  general  massiveness  of  the  cranium. 
Compared  with  those  of  Miiatelttj  the  teeth,  if  not  relatively 
larger,  are  more  swollen  and  stouter,  with  bulging  sides,  blunt 
points,  and  dull  edges.  The  back  upper  molar  is  placed  so  far 
inward,  out  of  line  with  the  rest,  that  its  outer  border  scarcely 
projects  outside  the  inner  border  of  the  next.  It  has  the  same 
general  character  as  in  Mustela.  The  median  constriction  is 
slight,  the  inner  more  strongly  regularly  convex,  with  raised 
brim  and  crescentic  ridge  inside  this ;  the  outer  is  double  con- 
vex (convex  with  an  emargination),  higher  than  the  other,  with 
an  irregularly  tuberculous  surface.  The  antero-internal  spur  of 
the  last  premolar  is  low  and  little  more  than  a  mere  heel, 
scarcely  to  be  called  a  cusp.  Turgidity  aside,  this  tooth  other- 
wise repeats  the  same  in  Mustela.  The  next  premolar  abuts 
against  the  reentrance  between  the  spur  and  main  body  of  the 
last  ^ne,  rather  than  lies  in  continuation  of  the  same  axis.  The 
foremost  preniolar  is  relatively  smaller  and  more  crowded  than 
the  same  in  Mmtela ;  it  rests  directly  against  the  canine,  to 
the  inner  side  of  the  general  axis  of  dentition.  It  woald  seem 
that  but  little  more  crowding  would  cause  this  tooth  to  perma- 
nently abort.  The  great  canines  are  extremely  stout  at  the 
base,  rather  blunt,  and  have  a  strong  forward  obliqaity.  Of 
the  six  upper  incisors,  the  lateral  pair  are,  as  nsaal,  maeh 
larger  (wider  and  deeper,  though  little,  if  any,  longer)  than  the 
rest.     They  are  usually  found  much   abraded    by  rabbing 


40 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


m 


I'll 


m 


In 


a^iiust  the  under  canines.  The  other  incisors  are  all  alike, 
smaller  and  evenly  set ;  all  show  indication  of  trilobation,  with 
a  large  middle  and  minute  lateral  lobes,  best  seen  from  behind, 
where,  at  the  point  where  the  teeth  flatten  toward  the  tips, 
ridges  divaricate,  the  termination  of  these  ridges  forming  the 
lateral  lobes.  The  inferior  incisors  are  irregularly  set,  the  mid- 
dle one  on  each  side  being  crowded  back  ont  of  the  general 
plane.  The  outermost  pair  are  broader  than  the  rest,  and  seem 
longer,  viewed  from  the  front,  since  more  of  the  tooth  is  exposed 
from  the  alveolus.  The  next,  partially  displaced  pair,  viewed 
from  the  front,  seem  the  smallest  of  all ;  but  this  is  due  to  their 
position.  Viewed  from  behind,  their  size  is  seen  to  be  much 
greater  than  that  of  the  middle  pair.  All  the  incisors  are 
obscurely  lobate  at  end.  The  under  canines  are  shorter,  stouter, 
and  more  curved  than  the  upper ;  most  of  their  surface  is  stri- 
ate. The  anterior  lower  premolar,  like  the  same  tooth  in  the 
upper  jaw,  is  very  small,  displaced  inward,  and  apposed  against 
the  canine.  The  next  premolar  is  markedly  increased  in  size, 
and  set  in  the  jaw  with  its  longitudinal  axis  very  oblique  to  the 
general  axis  of  dentition,  as  if  turned  partially  around  for  want 
of  room.  The  next  two  premolars  are  much  larger  still  and 
massive ;  they  both  show  a  single  central  pointed  conical  cusp, 
whose  sides  are  bevelled  down  all  around  to  the  rimmed  base  of 
the  tooth,  but  there  is  no  indication  of  the  secondary  cusp  half- 
way up  the  back  edge  of  the  main  cusp,  as  in  Mustela  pennanti, 
martes,  americana,  and  perhaps  all  of  this  genus.  Similarly, 
on  the  great  sectorial  lower  molar,  there  is  no  sign  of  a  secondary 
cusp  on  the  inner  face  of  the  main  cusp,  as  is  so  plainly  seen  in 
M.  martes,  and  which  also  exists  in  less  degree  in  M.  pennanti, 
americana,  and  foina.  These  differences  of  the  two  back  under 
premolars  and  front  under  molar  are,  perhaps,  the  strongest 
dental  peculiarities  of  Gulo  as  compared  with  Mustela.  Be- 
sides this,  the  two  main  cusps  of  the  anterior  lower  premolar 
are  subequal  iu  size  and  elevation  instead  of  very  unequal,  as 
in  Mustela,  where  the  hinder  one  is  much  the  highest.  The 
posterior  tuberculous  portion  of  this  tooth  is  relatively  much 
smaller.  As  in  allied  genera,  the  back  lower  molar  is  small, 
subcircular,  tuberculous,  not  calling  for  special  remark. 

In  a  large  proportion  of  the  skulls  which  come  to  hand,  the 
canines  and  sectorial  '^teeth  are  found  cracked,  even  split  en- 
tirely in  two  or  broken  off,  apparently  a  result  of  the  desperate 
exertions  the  captured  animals  made  to  free  themselves  from 
iron  traps. 


NOMENCLATURE   OF   GULO   LUSCUS. 


a 


I  appeud  measurements  of  a  very  large  and  another  rather 
small  American  skull,  with  those  of  a  specimen  from  Lapland. 

ileasurements  of  slculh,  European  and  American. 


Total  len^tb  from  apes  of  intermaxillary-  to  occipital  protuberance. 

Greatest  -width  (zygomatic) ". 

Distance  between  orbits 

K asal  bones,  length 

Upper  incisors  from  front  to  hinder  margin  of  palate 

Upper  molars  and  premolars,  length  taken  together 

Lower  molars  and  premolars,  length  taken  together 

Lower  jaw,  length  to  back  of  condyle 

Lower  jaw,  height  of  coronoid  above  condyle 

Greatest  width  of  palate 

Least  width  of  skull 

Intermastoid  width 

Interparoccipltal  width 

Foramen  magnum,  width 

AVidth  across  supraorbital  protuberance 


a 


5.50 
3.35 
1.40 


3.80 
L65 
1.95 
3.65 
1.70 
1.80 
1.30 
3.00 
1.95 
0.70 
1.75 


II.  la 
3.55 
1.45 
1.00 
3.85 
1.65 
1.95 
3.70 
1.65 
1.80 
1.35 
3.20 
3.05 
0.75 
1.75 


PS 


^ 


6.00 
3.75 
1.50 

1.00 

a  10 

1.75 
2.10 
4.00 
1.85 
1.95 
1.55 
3.50 
a.  35 
0.80 
1.83 


NOMENCLATURE  OF  THE  SPECIES — RELATION  OF  THE  EURO- 
PEAN AND  AMERICAN  ANIMAL. 

This  animal  has  received  a  great  variety  of  names,  both  tech- 
uical^and  vernacular.  Nearly  all  barbarous  tribes  of  Northern 
regions  in  both  hemispheres,  as  well  as  civilized  nations,  have 
each  bestowed  some  appellation ;  and  in  some  cases  at  least 
the  latter  have  adopted  an  aboriginal  name,  with  more  or  less 
modification,  while  in  all  cases  the  book-names  of  the  species 
appear  to  be  derived  from  the  vernacular.  Thus,  "  quickhatch  " 
of  the  English  residents  of  British  America  is  obviously  an 
Anglicism  of  the  Cree  or  Knisteneaux  word,  and  I  agree  with 
Sir.John  Bichardson  that  carcajou  of  the  French  Canadians  is 
probably  derived  from  the  same  source..  I  have  no  idea  what 
the  meaning  of  the  more  frequent  term  wolverene  may  be ; 
none  of  its  various  spellings  furnish  a  clue,  beyond  the  obvious 
tco\f^  which  is  however  of  wholly  uncertain  applicability  here. 
Oulo,  glutton,  glouton,  are  self-explaining,  in  allusion  to  the 
voracity  of  the  animal ;  this  is  also  the  meaning  of  the  Swed- 
ish, Bussian,  and  German  names  above  quoted.  Oulo  was 
adopted  by  Linnseus  as  the  specific  name  of  the  European  ani- 
mal, which  he  placed  in  the  genus  Mustela,  This  author  sepa- 
rated the  American  as  VrsKS  luscus — an  absurd  name  indeed. 


1     '1 


m'Um 

i 


42 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


"  Luscus  "  signifies  blind  of  one  eye,  mope-eyed  ;  as  is  said  to 
have  been  the  unfortunate  condition  of  a  specimen  imported 
from  Hudson's  Bay,  some  time  in  possession  of  Sir  Hans 
Sloane,  and  described  by  Edwards,  upon  whose  account  Lin- 
naeus based  his  Ursus  luscus.  Linnoeus  was  frequently  capri- 
cious, and  sometimes  facetious,  in  bestowing  names;  while 
some  of  those  he  gave  were  wholly  inappropriate.  Thus  the 
Paradisea  apoda  ("footless"),  the  common  bird  of  Paradise, 
was  so  called  for  no  other  reason  than  that  the  skins  imported 
into  Europe  used  to  lack  the  feet,  these  having  been  removed 
in  the  preparation  of  the  specimens  by  the  natives.  This  tax- 
idermal  accident  not  only  gave  rise  to  the  name,  but  to  the 
general  belief  that  the  bird  had  no  feet,  and  to  various  fabu- 
lous accounts  of  its  habits  as  a  consequence  of  such  condition. 
It  is  deplorable  that  an  accidental  deformity  of  one  particular 
individual  should  be  thus  perpetuated  as  the  designation  of  a 
species ;  the  more  so,  as  it  is  the  name  which,  according  to 
strict  rules  of  nomenclature,  must  prevail.  It  may,  however, 
be  fairly  questioned  whether  it  should  not  be  set  aside,  under 
the  accepted  ruling  that  priority  shall  not  be  entitled  to  prece- 
dence when  the  first  name  involves  a  palpable  error,  or  is 
wholly  inept,  as  in  the  present  instance.  The  specific  term 
gulo  being  used  for  the  genus,  the  name  borealis  would  come 
nest  in  order,  should  luscus  be  ignored  on  these  considerations. 
The  foregoing  synonymatic  lists  show  that  this  species  has 
not  escaped  subdivisiod  into  nominal  ones,  and  that  varieties 
have  been  generally  recognized.  But  the  dose  similarity  of 
the  animals  from  the  two  continents  did  not  escape  some  of 
the  earlier  writers,  among  them  even  those  of  slight  scientific 
acquirements  or  experience.  Thus  Shaw,  in  1800,  states  of  the 
Wolverene,  of  which  he  reproduces  Edwards's  figure,  that "  this 
appears  to  be  no  other  than  a  variety  "  of  Ursm  gulo.  Des- 
marest  allowed  varietal  distinction  from  the  animal  be  called 
6.  arcticus.  Guvier  endorsed  the  specific  validity  which  earlier 
writers  had  generally  admitted ;  this  error  Griffith  perpetuated, 
and,  calling  one  Oulo  vulgaris^  the  other  G.  wolverene^  introduced 
at  once  two  new  synonyms.  At  least,  if  these  names  did  not 
originate  with  him,  I  have  not  found  them  in  previous  works. 
A  certain  "  Oulo  leucurus  Hedenborg",  quoted  by  Gray,  I  have 
not  had  an  opportunity  of  verifying.  In  the  foregoing  syn- 
onymy I  separate  the  American  from  the  Old  World  quota- 
tions merely  for  the  convenience  of  reference,  and  must  not  be 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS   OF   THE   WOLVERENE. 


43 


lid  to 

)orted 
Hans 

b  Lin- 
capri- 
while 

18  the 

radise, 

ported 

moved 

ia  tax- 

to  the 

8  fabu- 

idition. 

rticular 

on  of  a 

ding  to 

owever, 

J,  under 

0  prece- 

)r,  or  is 

ftc  term 

Id  come 

jrations. 

cies  has 

jrarleties 

larity  of 
some  of 

scientific 

as  of  the 

lat "  this 
0.  Des- 
)e  called 
ih  earlier 
letaated, 
trodaced 
}  did  not 
as  works. 

ay,  I  have 
Ding  syn- 
Id  quota- 
ist  not  be 


understood  as  implying  that  any  distinction,  varietal  or  spe- 
cific, subsists  between  the  Glutton  and  the  Wolverene. 

In  comparing  numerous  American  skulls  with  one  from  Lap- 
land, I  detect  in  the  former  a  tendency  to  less  constriction  of 
the  cranium  behind  the  postorbital  processes.  This  is  an  in- 
teresting correlation  with  one  of  the  more  pronounced  differ- 
ences in  the  skulls  of  M.  martea  and  M.  americana.  But  th'S 
is  the  only  discrepancy  I  find,  and  it  is  not,  moreover,  uni- 
formly exhibited  to  any  appreciable  degree.  The  identity  of 
the  animals  of  the  two  continents  is  to  be  considered  fairly  es- 
tablished, whatever  range  of  variation  in  size  and  color  either 
may  present. 

Pallas  notes  a  curious  supposed  character  in  urging  a  criti- 
cal comparison  of  the  two  forms.  "  Piles  Guloni  esse  trique- 
tros  notavit  Baster  (Act.  Harlemens.  vol.  xv.)  sed  hoc  an  in 
Americano  ?  nostra ti  pili  teretes ",  he  says,  on  p.  75  of  the 
"  Zoographia  ". 

HISTORY  AND  HABITS  OF  THE  SPECIES. 

The  written  history  of  the  Glutton  or  Wolverene  dates  from 
an  early  period  in  the  sixteenth  century,  when  the  animal  is 
mentioned  with  little  interval  of  time  by  several  writers  in  much 
the  same  extravagant  terms.  The  first  appearance  of  the  ani- 
mal in  literature  is  said  by  von  Martens  to  have  been  in  1532, 
at  the  hands  of  Michow,  a  physician  of  Cracow,  in  the  work  De 
Sarmatia  Aaiana  et  Europaa.  Olaus  Magnus  (1562),  to  whom 
is  commonly  attributed  the  earliest  mention,  thongh  he  thus 
appears  to  have  been  anticipated,  gives  a  most  extraordinary 
account,  made  up  of  the  then  current  popular  traditions  and 
superstitions,  and  tales  of  hunters  or  travellers,  unchecked  by 
any  proper  scientific  enquiry;  although,  to  do  him  justice,  he 
does  not  entirely  credit  them  himself.  We  may  be  sure  that 
such  savory  morsels  of  animal  biography  did  not  escape  the 
notice  of  subsequent  compilers,  and  that  they  lost  nothing  of 
their  flavor  at  the  hands  of  the  versatile  and  vivacious  Baffon. 
Endorsed  for  two  centuries  by  various  writers,  each  more  or 
less  authoritative  in  his  own  times,  and,  moreover,  appealing 
strongly  to  the  popular  love  of  the  marvellous,  the  current  fables 
took  strong  root  and  grew  apace,  flourishing  like  all  "  ill  weeds", 
and  choking  sober  accounts.  Coming  down  to  ns  through  such 
a  long  line  of  illastrious  godfathers,  they  were  treated  with  the 
respect  generally  accorded  to  long  years,  and  furnished  the 


liiiii 

I.' 


I, 


l:' 


'I  inn  I'' 


! 


mm 


IHiiii  il! 


!!lJ  i-vi!:! 


44 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELlDiE. 


Staple  of  professedly  educational  text-books.  Probably  no 
youth's  early  conceptions  of  the  Glutton  were  uncolored  with 
romance ;  the  general  picture  impressed  upon  the  susceptible 
mind  of  that  period  being  that  of  a  ravenous  monster  of  insa- 
tiate voracity,  matchless  strength,  and  supernatural  cunning,  a 
terror  to  all  other  beasts,  the  bloodthirsty  master  of  the  forest. 
We  cannot  wonder  at  the  quality  of  the  stream,  when  we  turn 
to  the  fountain-head  of  such  gross  exaggeration.  We  find  it 
gravely  stated  that  this  brute  will  feast  upon  the  carcase  of 
some  large  animal  until  its  belly  is  swollen  as  tight  as  a  drum, 
and  then  get  rid  of  its  burden  by  squeezing  itself  between  two 
trees,  in  order  that  it  may  return  to  glut  itself  anew — an  alleged 
climax  of  gluttony  to  which  no  four-footed  beast  attains,  and 
for  the  parallel  of  which  we  must  refer  to  some  of  the  most 
noted  gormandizers  of  the  lioman  Empire.  We  have  indeed 
reliable  accounts  of  such  gastronomic  exploits,  but  they  are 
not  a  part  of  those  records  which  are  generally  accepted  as 
zoological.  In  one  of  the  old  zoological  works  of  some  celeb- 
rity, there  is  a  very  droll  picture  of  a  Wolverene  squeezing 
itself  between  two  trees,  with  a  most  anxious  expression  ef 
countenance,  the  fore  part  of  the  body  being  pressed  thin,  while 
the  hinder  is  still  distended,  and  the  large  pile  of  manure  already 
deposited  being  rapidly  augmented  wit  ^  further  supplies.  Still 
in  the  track  of  the  marvellous,  we  rea^.!  how  the  Glutton,  too 
clumsy  and  tardy  of  foot  to  overtake  large  Ruminants,  betakes 
itself  to  the  trees  beneath  which  they  may  pass,  and  there 
crouches  in  wait  for  its  victim ;  it  drops  like  a  shot  upon  the 
unsuspecting  Elk,  Moose,  Beindeer,  and,  fastening  with  claws 
and  teeth,  sucks  the  blood  and  destroys  them  as  they  run.  That 
nothing  may  be  left  undone  to  ensure  success,  the  animal  has 
the  wit  to  throw  down  moss  or  lichens  to  attract  its  prey,  and 
to  employ  the  friendly  services  of  Foxes  to  drive  the  quarry 
beneath  the  fatal  spot.  I  allude  to  these  things,  not  that  such 
gross  exaggerations  longer  require  refutation,  but  because  they 
are  a  part,  and  no  inconsiderable  one,  of  the  history  of  the 
species ;  and  because,  as  we  shall  see  in  the  sequel,  a  perfectly 
temperate  and  truthful  narration  of  the  creature's  actual  habits 
sufficiently  attests  the  possession  of  really  remarkable  qualities, 
which  need  be  but  caricatured  for  transformation  into  just  such 
fables.  We  may  remember,  also,  that  the  history  of  the  Wol- 
verene is  mixed  in  some  cases  with  that  of  other  animals,  some 
of  whose  habits  have  been  attributed  to  it.    Thus  Charlevoix 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS   OP   THE   WOLVERENE. 


45 


(Voy.  Amer.  i,  201)  speaks  of  the  "carcajou  or  quincajou,  a 
kind  of  cat",  evidently,  however,  having  the  Cougar  {Felis  oon- 
color)  in  view,  as  appears  from  the  rest  of  his  remarks.  Such 
habit  of  lying  in  wait  for  their  prey  is  common  to  the  Cougar, 
Lynx,  and  other  large  Cats.  Not  to  prolong  this  portion  of  the 
subject,  I  may  state  briefly,  that  the  animal  whose  characteris- 
tics will  be  fully  exposed  in  the  course  of  this  article  is  simply  aa 
uncommonly  large,  clumsy,  shaggy  Marten  or  Weasel,  of  great 
strength,  without  corresponding  agility,  highly  carnivorous,  like 
the  rest  of  its  tribe,  and  displaying  great  perseverance  and 
sagacity  in  procuring  food  in  its  northern  residence  when  the 
supply  is  limited  or  precarious,  often  making  long  uninterrupted 
journeys,  although  so  short-legged.  It  is  imperfectly  planti- 
grade, and  does  not  climb  trees  like  most  of  its  allies.  It  lives 
in  dens  or  burrows,  and  does  not  hibernate.  It  feeds  upon  the 
carcases  of  large  animals  which  it  finds  already  slain,  but  does 
not  destroy  such  creatures  itself,  its  ordinary  prey  being  of  a 
much  humbler  character.  It  is  a  notorious  thief;  not  only  of 
stores  of  meat  and  fish  laid  up  by  the  natives  of  the  countries 
it  inhabits,  the  baits  of  their  traps,  and  the  animals  so  caught, 
but  also  of  articles  of  no  possible  service  to  itself;  and  avoids 
with  most  admirable  cunning  the  various  methods  devised  for 
its  destruction  in  retaliation. 

All  the  earlier  accounts  referred  to  the  animal  of  Europe  and 
Asia.  I  have  not  found  the  terms  "  Carcajou "  and  "  Wolverene ", 
nor  any  allusion  to  the  American  form,  until  early  in  the  eight- 
eenth century.  La  Hontan  speaks  of  it  in  1703,  likening  it  to 
a  large  fierce  Badger ;  Lawson  has  been  quoted  in  this  connec- 
tion, he  having  attributed  to  the  Lynx  some  of  the  fabulous 
accounts  of  the  Glutton ;  but  it  is  evident  that  his  remarks 
neither  apply,  nor  were  intended  to  apply,  to  the  Wolverene. 
Catesby  speaks  of  an  animal  "like  a  small  bear"  which  exists 
in  the  Arctic  porto  is  of  America ;  this  reference  is  among  the 
earlier  ones  to  the  Wolverene,  those  which  confound  it  with 
other  species  being  excluded.*  We  have  other  definite  accounts 
of  the  Wolverene,  near  the  middle  of  the  eighteenth  century, 

*  The  Wolverene  has  been  confused  not  only  \rith  the  Lynx  and  Coagar 
in  early  times,  bnt  also  qaite  recently  with  the  American  Badger,  Taxidea 
amerkana.  Thus  F.  Cuvier  (Suppl.Baffon,i,  1831,267)  treats  at  length  of 
"  Le  carcajou,  ou  Blaireaa  Amdricain  ",  his  whole  article  being  based  upon 
the  Badger,  to  which  he  misconceives  the  name  Carcajoa  to  belong.  Paol 
Gervais  also  speaks  of  the  "  CarJcajou  ou  Blaireaa  d'Am^rique  "  (Proc.  Verb. 
Soo.  Philom.  Paris,  1842, 30). 


46 


NORTH   AMERICAN  MUSTELID^. 


as  those  of  Klein,  Ellis,  Dobbs,  Edwards,  and  BrissoD.  Ursus 
lu80U9  of  LinnsBUs  arose  la  a  way  already  narrated,  and  the 
species  may  be  considered  to  have  been  well  known  from  this 
period,  although  it  was  for  a  long  time  very  generally  supposed 
to  be  different  from  the  Glutton  of  Europe  and  Asia. 

The  various  American  biographies  of  this  animal  are  without 
exception  more  or  less  incomplete  and  unsatisfactory;  even 
those  which  are  shorn  of  obvious  exaggeration  are,  in  large 
part,  a  compilation  of  earlier  statements.  They  have,  however, 
steadily  improved,  the  latest,  that  of  Audubon  and  Bachman, 
being  by  far  the  best,  although  Sir  John  Richardson's  was  an 
excellent  contribution.  The  account  which  Pennant  gave  in 
1784  ( Arct.  Zool.  pp.  66-^8)  is  purged  of  some  of  the  fables,  yet 
curiously  shows  how  their  effects  will  linger.  He  scouts  the 
idea  of  such  excessive  gluttony  as  had  been  attributed,  yet 
relates  the  moss-throwing  story,  and  represents  the  Wolverene 
as  "  a  beast  of  uncommon  fierceness,  the  terror  of  the  Wolf  and 
Bear ;  the  former,  which  will  devour  any  carrion,  will  not  touch 
the  carcase  of  this  animal,  which  smells  more  foetid  than  that 
of  the  Pole-cat ".  Pennant  traces  its  distribution  as  far  north 
as  Copper  Biver,  to  the  countries  on  the  west  and  south  of  Hud- 
son's Bay,  Canada,  aud  tho  tract  between  Lakes  Huron  and 
Superior.  He  gives  a  fair  description,  and  adds : — ''  It  hath 
much  the  action  of  a  Bear ;  not  only  in  the  form  of  its  back, 
and  the  hanging  down  of  its  head,  but  also  in  resting  on  the 
hind  part  of  the  first  joint  of  its  legs."  "  The  Kamtschatkans  ", 
he  naively  continues,  "  value  them  so  highly  as  to  say,  that  the 
heavenly  beings  wear  no  other  furs."  Bichardson  gives  some 
interesting  particulars,  among  them  none,  so  far  as  I  am  aware, 
that  are  not  accurate.  In  a  passage  he  quotes  from  Graham's 
MSS.,  we  see  a  probable  basis  for  the  fabulous  accounts 
that  the  Fox  is  the  Wolverene's  provider  or  abettor  in  the 
chase — ^for  it  is  the  well-nigh  universal  rule  that  fable  is  founded 
on  facts  exaggerated,  distorted,  or  perverted.  Alluding  to  the 
Wolverene's  notorious  habit  of  following  Marten  roads,  Mr. 
Graham  remarks  that  the  animal  tears  the  captured  Martens  to 
pieces  or  buries  them  at  a  distance  in  the  snow.  '« Drifts  of  snow 
often  conceal  the  repositories  thus  made  of  the  martens  from 
the  hunter,  in  which  case  they  furnish  a  regale  to  the  hungry 
fox,  whose  sagacious  nostril  guides  him  unerringly  to  the  spot. 
Two  or  three  foxes  are  often  seen  following  the  Wolverene  for 
this  purpose."    Bichardson  discredits  the  accounts  which  had 


it 


!l 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS   OP   THE   WOLVERENE. 


47 


come  down  from  Baffon  of  the  destructiou  of  Beavers  by  the 
Wolverene.  *'  It  must  be  only  in  summer, "  he  says,  *'  when 
those  industrious  animals  are  at  work  on  land,  that  it  can  sur- 
prise them.  An  attempt  to  break  open  their  house  in  winter, 
even  supposing  it  possible  for  the  claws  of  a  Wolverene  to  pene* 
etrate  the  thick  mud  walls  when  frozen  as  hard  as  stone,  would 
only  have  the  effect  of  driving  the  beavers  into  the  water  to 
seek-  for  shelter  iu  their  vaults  on  the  borders  of  the  dam."* 

Hearne  gives  a  much  more  credible  account  of  the  depre- 
dations  of  the  Wolverene  upon  another  of  the  valuable  fur- 
bearing  animals  of  the  north— the  Fox— during  the  period 
of  reproduction.  Being  directed  by  scent  to  the  burrow  of 
the  Fox,  which  its  great  strength  enables  it  to  enlarge  if 
necessary,  it  enters  and  destroys  the  whole  family.  In  evi- 
dence of  its  amazing  strength,  of  that  sort  most  effective  in 
pulling,  pushing,  and  prying,  the  same  author  mentions  that  a 
Wolverene  had  been  known  to  upset  the  greater  part  of  a  pile 
of  wood  nearly  seventy  yards  around,  iu  order  to  get  at  some 
provisions  which  had  been  deposited  in  this  cache.  Audubon's 
article,  although  entertaining  and  accurate,  is  chiefly  a  com- 
pilation from  previous  accounts,  as  he  appears  to  have  met  with 
the  animal  iu  a  state  of  nature  but  once,  the  result  of  which 
occurrence  is  his  principal  coutributioa  to  the  subject.  This 
was  in  Rensselaer  County,  near  the  banks  of  the  Hoosac  River. 
He  tracked  a  Wolverene  iu  the  snow  to  its  den,  which  was 
among  rocks,  and  shot  it  after  prying  away  some  heavy  frag- 
ments. '*  There  was  a  large  nest  of  dried  leaves  in  the  cavern, 
which  had  evidently  been  a  place  of  resort  for  the  Wolverene 
during  the  whole  winter,  as  its  tracks  from  every  direction  led 
to  the  spot.  It  had  laid  up  no  winter  store,  and  evidently 
depended  on  its  nightly  excursions  for  a  supply  of  food.  It 
had  however  fared  well,  for  it  was  very  fat." 

The  fur  of  the  Wolverene  is  highly  valued  both  by  civilized 
and  uncivilized  people.  A  number  of  skins  sewn  together 
makes  a  very  beautiful  carriage  robe  or  hearth-rug,  and  the  pelts 
are  in  common  use  for  these  purposes.    The  Indians  and  Esqui- 

*  An  auonyiqous  writer,  doabtless  Geaeral  D.  S.  Stanley  ("  D.  S.  S.,  Fort 
Sally,  Dakota";  American  Naturalist,  ii,  1868,  p.  215),  notes  the  depredations 
committed  by  the  Wolverene  upon  Beaver,  in  the  following  terms : — "  The 
wolverene  follows  the  Beaver  and  preys  upon  them;  in  northern  latitudes, 
the  wolverene  is  almost  always  present  where  the  beaver  is  abundant.  The 
beaver  has  a  beaten  path  on  the  bank  of  the  stream  near  his  lodge.  There 
the  wolverene  lies  iu  wait  for  him,  and  often  cuts  short  his  career." 


48 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


manx  use  the  far  as  they  do  that  of  the  Wolf,  for  fringiug  their 
garments,  the  skin  being  cut  in  strips  for  this  purpose.  I  have 
already  given  (p.  2)  some  statistics  of  the  trade  in  this  kind 
of  pelt,  which  indicate  the  comparative  standing  of  the  animal 
among  the  far-bearing  species  of  this  country.  The  following 
methods  of  its  capture  are  taken  from  Gibson : — * 

<'The  wolverine  is  a  dangerous  foe  to  many  animals  larger 
than  itself,  and  by  the  professional  hunter  it  is  looked  upon  as 
an  ugly  and  dangerous  customer.  There  are  several  methods 
of  trapping  this  horrid  creature,  and  in  many  localities  suc- 
cessful trapping  of  other  animals  will  be  impossible  without 
first  ridding  the  neighborhood  of  the  wolverines.  Dead-falls 
of  large  size  will  be  found  to  work  successfully,  baiting  with 
the  body  of  some  small  animal,  such  as  a  rat  or  squirrel.  A 
piece  of  cat,  beaver  or  muskrat  flesh  is  also  excellent,  and  by 
slightly  scenting  with  castoreum  success  will  be  made  sure. 
Several  of  these  traps  may  be  set  at  intervals,  and  a  trail  made 
by  dragging  a  piece  of  smoked  beaver  meat  between  them. 
The  gun-trap,  .  .  .  will  also  do  good  service  in  exterminating 
this  useless  and  troublesome  animal.  Steel  traps  of  size  No.  3 
or  4  are  commonly  used  to  good  purpose.  ...  In  all  cases  the 
trap  should  be  covered  with  leaves,  moss  or  the  like,  and  the 
bait  slightly  scented  with  castoreum.  Like  all  voracious  ani- 
mals, the  perpetual  greed  of  the  wolverine  completely  over- 
balances its  caution,  and  thus  renders  its  capture  an  easy 
task.^t 

The  Wolverene  is  an  animal  of  circumpolar  distribution  in 
both  hemispheres.  In  North  America,  it  exists  in  all  suitable 
country  north  of  the  United  States  to  the  Arctic  Goast,  and 
even  on  some  of  the  islands  of  the  Polar  Sea,  traces  of  its 
presence  having  been  discovered  on  Melville  Island,  about 
latitude  75°.  Our  notes  upon  its  distribution  in  this  country 
may  relate  chiefly  to  its  southern  limits.  Of  an  erroneous  quo- 
tation, by  which  it  has  been  supposed  to  occur  as  far  south  as 
Carolina,  I  have  already  spoken.  Its  southern  limit  has  been 
fixed  more  properly  between  42°  and  43°;  this  is  probably 
nearly  correct  for  the  eastern  portions  of  the  continent,  aside 
from  what  recession  of  the  species  northward  may  have  re- 
cently occurred,  although,  as  we  shall  see,  the  species  reaches 

*  Complete  American  Trapper,  [etc.]  p.  800.    New  York.    16mo.    1876. 

t  A  statement  at  variance  with  the  experience  of  others,  as  detailed  on  a 
following  page,  from  which  it  would  appear  that  the  wary  oreatnre  is  par- 
tioolarly  diflScnlt  to  entrap. 


HISTOHY    AND   HABITS   OF   THE   WOLVERENE. 


49 


farther  south  iu  the  West.  lu  Massachusetts,  accordiuff  to  Mr. 
AUeu,  it  still  lingered  a  few  years  since,  in  that  portion  where 
the  Canadian,  as  distinguished  from  the  Alleghanian,  fauna  is 
represented.  But  the  Massachusetts  reports  are  all  probably 
traceable  to  a  Hoosac  Mountain  record  some  years  prior.  Dr. 
Hitchcock  and  Dr.  De  Kay  both  quote  Dr.  Emmons  for  this, 
although  the  species  is  not  given  in  the  latter's  report.  In 
New  York,  it  was  rare  In  the  time  of  Audubon  and  De  Kay : 
the  former  notes  specimens  from  Rensselaer  (1810)  and  Jeffersou 
(1827)  Gounties.  Dr.  Z.  Thompson,  writing  in  1833,  states  that 
it  was  then  extremely  rare  in  Vermont,  none  having  been  met 
with  to  his  knowledge  for  several  years.  Though  occasionally 
found  when  the  country  was  new  in  all  parts  of  the  State,  it 
was  never  very  plentiful,  and  for  years  had  been  known  only 
in  the  most  wooded  and  unsettled  parts.  I  have  met  with  but 
one  record  of -its  presence  in  the  United  States  from  west  of 
New  York  to  the  Bocky  Mountains,  though  it  is  to  be  pre- 
sumed that  it  inhabits,  or  has  lately  done  so,  the  wooded  por- 
tions of  our  northern  frontier.  Maximilian  speaks  {I.  c.)  of  the 
occurrence  of  the  species  on  the  western  border  of  Canada  and 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Ked  River  of  the  North,  and  surmises 
that  the  species  may  extend  to  the  Missouri  River,  especially 
as  he  saw  a  skin,  but  without  Indication  of  locality,  at  one  of 
the  trading  posts.  I  never  saw  the  Wolverene  in  Dakota  or 
Montana,  where  most  of  the  country  is  altogether  too  open. 
Baird,  however,  speaks  of  its  occasional  occurrence  in  the  Black 
Hills,  and  registers  a  specimen  from ''  northwest  of  Fort  Union''* 
(probably  Montana,  toward  the  base  of  the  Rocky  Mountains); 
and  Mr.  C.  H.  Merriam  (as  recorded  I  s.  c.)  procured  a  speci- 
men on  the  Yellowstone  River,  Wyoming,  in  August,  1872. 
In  the  Rocky  Mountains,  as  was  to  have  been  expected,  its 
extension  southward  has  been  traced  to  the  farthest  known 
point,  between  40°  and  39'='.  Professor  Baird  notes  a  specimen 
obtained  by  Captain  Stansbury  from  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  Utah, 
which  lies  wholly  south  of  'i2°.  This  individual  is  still  (1877)  pre- 
served, mounted,  in  the  National  Museum.  It  is  probable  that 
its  extreme  limit  is  even  somewhat  farther  than  this,  reaching  in 
the  mountains  to  the  borders  of  Arizona  and  New  Mexico  and 

*This  locality  (Fort  Union),  frequently  mentioned  in  tlie  works  of  Au- 
dnbon,  Baird,  and  others,  no  longer  exists  as  such,  being  now  a  heap  of  rab- 
bish.  It  is  replaced  by  Fort  Buford,  commanding  the  mouth  of  the  Yellow- 
stone, at  the  extreme  southwest  corner  of  Dakota,  adjoining  the  southeast 
corner  of  Montana. 
4m 


50 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


corresponding  latitudes  in  Galilornia.  Of  this,  I  was  assured 
by  hunters  whose  statements  i  had  no  reason  to  doubt,  and 
who  were  evidently  acquainted  with  the  species.  But  I  could 
not  confirm  their  statements  by  actual  observation,  and,  for 
all  that  is  positively  known,  the  Salt  Lake  record  remains  the 
southernmost,  excepting  that  very  recently  furnished  by  Mr. 
Allen  (op.  cit).  He  saw  the  skin  of  aa  individual  taken  in 
the  vicinity  of  Montgomery,  Colo.,  near  the  limit  of  timber, 
and  the  animal  was  stated  to  be  not  uncommon.  This  locality 
is  somewhat  south  of  40<^,  and  the  occurrence  is  strongly 
corroborative  of  the  accounts  I  received,  as  just  mentioned. 
I  have  myself  lately  seen  a  mounted  specimen  among  a  collec- 
tion of  animals  made  by  Mrs.  M.  A.  Maxwell,  in  the  vicinity 
of  Boulder,  Colo.  I  have  no  record  fi*om  the  region  west  of  the 
main  chain  of  the  Bockies  in  Oregon  or  Washington  Territory, 
although  it  is  not  to  be  presumed,  upon  this  negative  evidence, 
that  the  species  does  not  occur  there. 

The  Wolverene  ranges,  as  we  have  seen,  in  greater  or  less 
abundance,  all  over  the  northern  portions  of  this  country.  It 
appears  to  be  particularly  numerous  in  the  Mackenzie  Biver 
region,  and  it  fairly  infests  the  whole  country  bordering  the 
lower  portions  of  this  river  and  the  west  side  of  the  mountains. 
From  this  country,  many  accounts  have  reached  me,  from  vari- 
our  ofScers  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  through  the  liber- 
ality of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  which  placed  in  my  hands 
all  the  matter  represented  in  its  archives  upon  the  mammals  of 
the  far  north.  These  manuscripts  witness  the  wonderful  cun- 
ning and  sagacity  of  the  beast,  as  well  as  its  ferocity,  and  repre- 
sent it  to  be  the  greatest  enemy  with  which  the  hunters  and 
trappers  have  to  contend  in  the  pursuit  of  fur-bearing  animals. 
Messrs.  Kennicott,  Macfarlane,  Ross,  and  Lockhart  have  each 
recorded  their  experiences,  which  together  afford  the  material 
for  a  comple'  '^  biography. 

The  hunter,  says  Mr.  Lockhart,  may  safely  leave  an  animal 
he  has  killed  for  one  night,  but  never  for  a  second  time,  with- 
out placing  it  in  a  strong  cache  of  logs.  The  first  night  the 
Wolverene  is  pretty  sure  to  visit  the  place,  but  will  touch 
nothing.  The  next  night  he  is  certain  to  return,  and,  if  he  can 
possibly  get  at  the  meat,  he  will  gorge  himself,  and  then  make 
away  with  the  rest,  which  he  cunningly  hides,  piece  by  piece, 
under  the  snow,  in  different  directions.  At' every  cAiOhe  he 
makes  he  voids  his  urine  or  drops  his  dirt,  probably  to  prevent 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS   OP   THE   WOLVERENE. 


51 


assured 
ibt,  and 
1 1  could 
and,  for 
ains  the 
I  by  Mr. 
taken  in 
[  timber^ 
)  locality 
strongly 
entioned. 
;  a  collec- 
B  vicinity 
est  of  the 
Eerritory, 
evidence, 

er  or  less 
untry.    It 
izie  Eiver 
lering  the 
lountains. 
from  vari- 
the  liber- 
my  hands 
lammals  of 
lerful  oun- 
and  repre- 
anters  and 
ig  animals, 
have  each 
le  material 

an  animal 

time,  with- 

t  night  the 

will  touch 

d,  if  he  can 

then  make 
)e  by  piece, 
y  cAohe  he 

to  prevent 


Foxes,  Martens,  or  other  animals  from  smelling  the  hidden  meat 
and  digging  it  up.  Gd,ches  must  be  made  of  green  wood,  and 
be  exceedingly  strong,  or  the  animal  will  certainly  break  into 
them.  He  has  been  known  to  gnaw  through  a  log  nearly  a 
foot  iu  diameter,  and  also  to  dig  a  hole  several  feet  deep  in 
frozen  ground,  to  gain  access  to  the  coveted  supply.  Should 
he  succeed  in  gaining  entrance  for  himself,  and  yet  be  unable 
to  displace  the  logs  sufficiently  to  permit  of  removal  of  the 
meat,  the  brute  will  make  water  and  dirt  all  over  it,  rendering 
it  wholly  unfit  to  be  used;  even  a  dog  will  then  scarcely  touch  it. 

To  the  trapper,  the  Wolverenes  are  equally  annoying.  When 
they  have  discovered  a  line  of  Marten  traps,  they  will  never 
abandon  the  road,  and  must  be  killed  before  the  trapping  can 
be  successfully  carried  on.  Beginning  at  one  end,  they  proceed 
from  trap  to  trap  along  the  whole  line,  pulling  them  success- 
ively to  pieces,  and  taking  out  the  baits  from  behind.  When 
they  can  eat  no  more,  they  continue  to  steal  the  baits  and  cache 
them.  If  hungry,  they  may  devour  two  or  three  of  the  Martens 
they  find  captured,  the  remainder  being  carried  off  and  hidden 
in  the  snow  at  a  considerable  distance.  The  work  of  demoli- 
tion goes  on  as  fast  as  the  traps  can  be  renewed. 

The  propensity  ic  tteal  and  hide  things  is  one  of  the  strongest 
traits  of  the  Wolverene.  To  such  an  extent  is  it  developed 
that  the  animal  will  often  secrete  articles  of  no  possible  use  to 
itself.  Besides  the  wanton  destruction  of  Marten  traps,  it  will 
carry  off  the  sticks  and  hide  them  at  a  distance,  apparently  iu 
sheer  malice.  Mr.  Boss,  in  the  article  above  quoted,  has  given 
an  amusing  instance  of  the  extreme  of  this  propensity: — "The 
desire  for  accumulating  property  seems  so  deeply  implanted  iu 
this  animal,  that  like  tame  ravens,  it  does  not  appear  to  care 
much  what  it  steals  so  that  it  can  exercise  its  favorite  propen- 
sity to  commit  mischief.  An  instance  occurred  within  my  own 
knowledge  in  which  a  hunter  and  his  family  having  left  their 
lodge  unguarded  during  their  absence,  on  their  return  found 
it  completely  gntted — the  walls  were  there  but  nothing  else. 
Blankets,  guns,  kettles,  axes,  cans,  knives  and  all  the  other 
paraphernalia  of  a  trapper's  tent  had  vanished,  and  the  tracks 
left  by  the  beast  showed  who  had  been  the  thief.  The  family 
set  to  work,  and  by  carefully  following  up-  all  his  paths  recov- 
ered, with  some  trifling  exceptions,  the  whole  of  the  lost  prop- 
erty." 

Though  very  clumsy  animals,  the  Wolverenes  manage  to  cap- 


62 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


i 


tare,  at  times,  such  prey  as  Hares  or  Grouse,  and  chey  successfully 
attack  disabled  Deer.  We  have  already  seea  how  they  destroy 
Foxes  in  their  burrows;  and  they  are  usually  found  in  excel- 
lent condition.  They  also  feed  on  offal  or  carrion ;  in  fact,  any- 
thing that  they  can  catch  or  steal.  Their  own  flesh  is  only 
eatable  in  the  extreme  of  starvation.  They  bring  forth  in  bur- 
rows under  ground,  probably  old  Bear  washes,  and  have  four 
or  five  young  at  a  birth.  It  is  very  rarely  that  they  are  discov- 
ered at  this  period  or  whilst  suckling  their  young.  One  rea- 
son, however,  may  be  that  they  reproduce  late  in  June  and 
early  in  July,  when  the  mosquitoes  are  so  numerous  that  no 
one  who  can  avoid  it  goes  abroad  in  the  woods.  The  rutting 
season  is  in  the  latter  part  of  March.  The  female  is  ferocious 
in  the  defense  of  her  young,  and  if  disturbed  at  this  time  will 
not  hesitate  to  attack  a  man.  Indeed,  Indians  have  been  heard 
to  aver  that  they  would  sooner  encounter  a  she-bear  with  her 
cubs  than  a  Carcajou  under  the  same  circumstances.  In  Octo- 
ber, when  the  rivers  set  fast,  the  Wolverenes  reappear  in  fam- 
ilies, the  young  still  following  their  dam,  though  now  not  much 
her  inferior  in  size.  They  are  full  grown  when  about  a  year 
old.  In  early  infancy,  the  cubs  are  said  to  be  of  a  pale  cream 
color. 

lue  Wolverene  may  be  captured  in  wooden  traps  similar  to 
those  used  for  Martens,  but  of  course  made  on  a  much  larger 
scale,  as  the  animal's  strength  is  enormous,  even  for  its  size. 
The  traps  are  sometimes  built  with  two  doors.  But  so  great  is 
the  cunning  and  sagacity  of  the  beast,  that  the  contrivance  for 
its  destruction  must  be  very  perfect.  The  traps  are  covered 
up  with  pine-brush,  and  made  to  resemble  a  cS^che  as  much  as 
possible  I  the  Wolverene  is  then  likely  to  break  in  and  get 
caught.  Tb"  bait,  ordinarily  the  conspicuous  feature  of  a  trap, 
must  in  this  instance  be  concealed,  or  the  animal  will  either 
break  in  from  behind,  or,  failing  in  this,^will  pass  on  his  way. 
It  is  sometimes  also  taken  in  steel  traps,  or  by  means  of  a  set 
gun ;  but  both  these  methods  are  uncertain,  great  "  medicine  " 
being  required  to  outwit  the  knowing  and  suspicious  beast. 

The  eyesight  of  the  Wolverene  is  not  very  bright,  but  his 
sense  of  smell  is  extremely  acute. 

<<  The  winter  I  passed  at  Fort  Simpson",  writes  Mr.  Look- 
hart,  '*  I  had  a  line  of  Marten  and  Fox  traps,  and  Lynx  snares, 
e7<-  .^Jing  as  far  as  Lac  de  Brochet.  Visiting  them  on  one 
occasion  I  found  a  Lynx  alive  in  one  of  my  snares ;  and  being 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS   OF   THE   WOLVERENE. 


53 


indisposed  to  carry  it  so  far  home,  determined  to  kill  and  skin 
it  before  it  should  freeze.  But  how  to  c^che  the  skin  till  my 
retaru  ?  This  was  a  serious  question,  for  Carcajou  tracks  were 
numerous.  Placing  the  carcase  as  a  decoy  in  a  clump  of  willows 
at  one  side  of  the  path,  I  went  some  distance  on  the  opposite 
side,  dug  a  hole  with  my  snow-shoe  about  three  feet  deep  in  the 
snow,  packed  the  skin  in  the  smallest  possible  compass,  and 
put  it  in  the  bottom  of  the  hole,  which  I  filled  up  again  very 
carefully,  packing  the  snow  down  hard,  anfl  then  strewing 
loose  snow  over  the  surface  till  the  spot  looked  as  if  it  had 
never  been  disturbed.  I  also  strewed  blood  and  entrails  in  the 
path  and  around  the  willows.  Returning  next  morning,  I  found 
that  the  carcase  was  gone,  as  I  expected  it  would  be,  but  that 
the  place  where  the  skin  was  cached  was  apparently  undis- 
turbed. 'Ah  I  you  rascal,'  said  I,  addressing  aloud  the  absent 
Carcajou,  *  I  have  outwitted  you  for  once.'  I  lighted  my  pipe, 
and  proceeded  leisurely  to  dig  up  the  skin  to  place  in  my  muski- 
moot.  I  went  clear  down  to  the  ground,  on  this  side  and  on 
that,  but  no  Lynx  skin  was  there.  The  Carcajou  had  been 
before  me,  and  had  carried  it  off  along  with  the  carcase ;  but 
he  had  taken  the  pains  to  fill  up  the  hole  again  and  make  every- 
thing as  smooth  as  before ! 

"At  Peel's  River,  on  one  occasion,  a  very  old  Carcajou  dis- 
covered my  Marten  road,  on  which  I  had  nearly  a  hundred  and 
fifty  traps.  I  was  in  the  habit  of  visiting  the  line  about  once 
a  fortnight ;  but  the  beast  fell  into  the  way  of  coming  oftener 
than  I  did,  to  my  great  annoyance  and  vexation.  I  determined 
to  put  a  stop  to  his  thieving  and  his  life  together,  cost  what  it 
might.  So  I  made  six  strong  traps  at  as  many  different  points, 
and  also  set  three  steel  traps.  For  three  weeks  I  tried  my  best 
to  catch  the  beast  without  success ;  and  my  worst  enemy  would 
allow  that  I  am  no  green  hand  in  these  matters.  The  animal 
carefully  avoided  the  traps  set  for  his  own  benefit,  and  seemed 
to  be  taking  more  delight  than  ever  in  demolishing  my  Marten 
traps  and  eating  the  Martens,  scattering  the  poles  in  every 
direction,  and  cAching  what  baits  or  Martens  he  did  not  devour 
on  the  spot.  As  we  had  no  poison  in  those  days,  I  next  set  a 
gun  on  the  bank  of  a  little  lake.  The  gun  was  concealed  in 
some  low  bushes,  but  the  bait  was  so  placed  that  the  Carciyon 
must  see  it  on  his  way  up  the  bank.  I  blockaded  my  path  to 
the  gun  with  a  small  pine  tree  which  completely  hid  it.  On 
my  first  visit  afterward  I  found  that  the  beast  had  gone  up  to 


54 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


the  bait  and  stnelled  it,  but  had  left  it  untouched.  He  had 
next  palled  up  the  pine  tree  that  blocked  the  path,  and  gone 
around  the  gun  and  cut  the  line  which  connected  the  bait  with 
the  trigger,  just  behind  the  muzzle.  Then  he  had  gone  back 
and  pulled  the  bait  away,  and  carried  it  out  on  the  lake,  where 
he  laid  down  and  devoured  it  at  his  leisure.  There  I  found  my 
string.  I  could  scarcely  believe  that  all  this  had  been  done 
designedly,  for  it  seemed  that  faculties  fully  on  a  par  with  human 
reason  would  be  required  for  such  an  exploit,  if  done  intention- 
ally. I  therefore  rearranged  things,  tying  the  string  where  it 
had  been  bitten.  But  the  result  was  exactly  the  same  for  three 
successive  occasions,  as  I  could  plainly  see  by  the  footprints ; 
and  what  is  most  singular  of  all,  each  time  the  brute  was  care- 
ful to  cut  the  line  a  little  back  of  where  it  had  been  tied  before, 
as  if  actually  reasoning  with  himself  that  even  the  knots 
might  be  some  new  device  of  mine,  and  therefore  a  source  of 
hidden  danger  he  would  prudently  avoid.  I  came  to  the  con- 
clusion that  that  Carcajou  ought  to  live,  as  he  must  be  something 
at  least  human,  if  not  worse.  I  gave  it  up,  and  abandoned  the 
road  for  a  period. 

»'On  another  occasion  a  Carcajou  amused  himself,  much  as 
usual,  by  tracking  my  line  from  one  end  to  the  other  and  de- 
molishing my  traps,  ^  fast  as  I  could  set  them.  I  put  a  large 
steel  trap  in  the  middle  of  a' path  that  branched  ofif  among 
some  willows,  spreading  no  bait,  but  risking  the  chance  that 
the  animal  would  '  put  his  foot  in  it'  on  his  way  to  break  a  trap 
at  the  end  of  the  path.  On  my  next  visit  I  found  that  the  trap 
was  gone,  but  I  noticed  the  blood  and  entrails  of  a  hare  that 
had  evidently  been  caught  in  the  trap  and  devoured  by  the 
Carcajou  on  the  spot.  Examining  his  footprints  I  was  satisfied 
that  he  had  not  been  caught,  and  I  took  up  his  trail.  Proceed- 
ing about  a  mile  through  the  woods  I  came  to  a  small  lake,  on 
thti  banks  of  which  I  recognized  traces  of  the  trap,  which  the 
beast  had  laid  down  in  order  to  go  a  few  steps  to  one  side  to 
make  water  on  a  stump.  He  had  then  returned  and  picked  up 
the  trap,  which  he  had  carried  across  the  lake,  with  many  a 
twist  and  turn  on  the  hard  crust  of  snow  to  mislead  his  ex- 
pected pursuer,  and  then  again  entered  the  woods.  I  followed 
for  about  half  a  mile  farther  and  then  came  to  a  large  hole  dug 
in  the  snow.  This  place,  however,  seemed  not  to  have  suited 
him,  for  there  was  nothing  there.  A  few  yards  forther  on, 
however,  I  found  a  neatly  built  mound  of  snow  on  which  the 


HI8T0BY   AND   HABITS   OF   THE   WOLVERENE. 


55 


animal  had  made  water  and  left  his  dirt ;  this  I  knew  was  his 
•cache.  Using  one  of  my  snowshoes  for  a  spade  I  dug  into  the 
hillock  and  down  to  the  ground,  the  snow  being  about  four  feet 
deep ;  and  there  I  found  my  trap,  with  the  toes  of  a  rabbit  still 
in  the  jaws.  Gould  it  have  been  the  animal's  instinctive  im- 
pulse to  hide  prey  that  made  him  carry  my  trap  so  far  merely 
for  the  morsel  ot  meat  still  held  in  it  ?  Or  did  his  cunning 
nature  prompt  him  to  hide  the  trap  for  fear  that  on  some 
future  unlucky  occasion  he  might  put  his  own  toes  in  it  and 
share  the  rabbit's  fate  ?  " 

This  propensity  of  the  Wolverene  to  carry  off  traps  receives 
confirmation  from  other  sources.  In  Captain  Cartwright's 
Journal  (ii,  407),  a  similar  instance  is  recorded  in  the  follow- 
ing terms : — "  lo  coming  to  the  foot  of  Table  Hill  I  crossed 
the  track  of  a  Wolvering  with  one  of  Mr.  Gallingham's  traps 
on  his  foot :  the  foxes  had  followed  his  bleeding  track.  As  this 
beast  went  through  the  thick  of  the  woods,  under  the  north 
side  of  the  hill,  where  the  snow  was  so  deep  and  light  that  it 
was  with  the  greatest  difficulty  I  could  follow  him  even  on  In- 
dian rackets,  I  was  quite  puzzled  to  know  how  he  had  con- 
trived to  prevent  the  trap  from  catching  hold  of  the  branches 
of  trees  or  sinking  in  the  snow.  Biit  on  coming  up  with  him  I 
discovered  how  he  had  managed :  for  after  making  an  attempt 
to  fly  at  me,  he  took  the  trap  ifi  his  mouth  and  ran  upon  three 
legs.  These  creatures  are  surprisingly  strong  in  proportion  to 
their  size ;  this  one  weighed  only  twenty-six  pounds  and  the 
trap  eight ;  yet  including  all  the  turns  he  had  taken  he  had 
carried  it  six  miles." 

The  ferocity  of  the  Wolverene,  no  less  than  its  cunning,  is 
illustrated  in  some  of  the  endless  occasions  on  which  it  matches 
its  powers  against  those  of  its  worst  enemy.  A  man  bad  set  a 
gun  for  a  Carcajou  which  had  been  on  his  usual  round  of  dem- 
olition of  Marten  traps.  The  animal  seized  tUe  bait  unwarily, 
and  set  off  the  gun ;  but  owing  to  careless  or  improper  setting, 
the  charge  missed  or  only  wounded  it.  The  Carcajou  rushed 
upon  the  weapon,  tore  it  from  its  fastenings,  and  chewed  the 
stock  to  pieces.  It  is  added  to  the  account  of  this  exploit  that 
the  beast  finished  by  planting  the  barrel  muzzle  downward  up- 
right in  the  snow ;  but  this  may  not  be  fully  credited.  The 
stories  that  pass  current  among  trappers  in  the  North  would 
alone  fill  a  volume,  and  they  are  quite  a  match  for  those  that 
-Olaus  Magnus  set  down  in  his  book  centuries  ago.    How  much 


56 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


wiser  are  we  in  our  generatioD  ?  Is  there  anything  new  under 
the  sun  f  But  we  need  not  go  beyond  the  strict  fact  to  be 
impressed  with  the  extraordinary  wit  of  the  beast,  whom  all 
concur  in  conceding  to  be  "  as  cunning  as  the  very  devil ", 

With  so  much  for  the  tricks  and  the  manners  of  the  beast 
behind  our  backs,  roaming  at  will  in  his  vast  solitudes,  what  of 
his  actions  in  the  presence  of  man  ?  It  is  said  that  if  one  only 
stands  still,  even  in  full  view  of  an  approaching  Carcajou,  he 
will  come  within  fifty  or  sixty  yards,  provided  he  be  to  wind- 
ward, before  he  takes  the  alarm.  Even  then,  if  he  be  not 
warned  by  sense  of  smell,  he  seems  in  doubt,  and  will  gaze 
earnestly  several  times  before  he  finally  concludes  to  take  him- 
self off.  On  these  and  similar  occasions  he  has  a  singular 
habit — one  not  shared,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  by  any  other  beast 
whatever.  He  sits  on  his  haunches  and  shades  his  eyes  with 
one  of  his  fore  paws,  just  as  a  human  being  would  do  in  scruti- 
nizing a  dim  or  distant  object.  The  Carcajou  then,  in  addition 
to  his  other  and  varied  accomplishments,  is  a  perfect  skeptic — 
to  use  this  word  in  its  original  signification.  A  skeptic,  with 
the  Greeks,  was  simply  one  who  would  shade  his  eyes  to  see 
more  clearly.  To  this  day,  in  sign-language  among  some  of  the 
Korth  American  Indians,  placing  the  hand  to  the  forehead  sig- 
nifies *'  white  man  " — either  in  allusion  to  this  habit,  or  to  the 
shade  given  the  eyes  by  the  straight  vizor  of  the  military  cap, 
which  the  Indians  see  oftener  than  they  desire.  Mr.  Lockhart 
writes  that  he  has  twice  been  eye-witness  of  this  carious  habit 
of  the  Wolverene.  Once,  as  he  was  drifting  down  stream  in  a 
small  canoe,  he  came  within  a  short  distance  of  one  of  the  ani- 
mals on  the  bank;  it  stopped  on  perceiving  him,  squatted  on 
its  haunches,  and  peered  earnestly  at  the  advancing  boat,  hold- 
ing one  fore  paw  over  its  eyes  in  the  manner  described.  Not 
seeming  to  take  alarm,  it  proceeded  on  a  few  paces,  and  then 
stopped  to  repeat  the  performance,  when  Mr.  Lockhart,  now 
sufficiently  near,  fired  and  killed  the  beast.  On  another  occa- 
sion, when  the  same  gentleman  was  crossing  the  Rocky  Mount- 
ains, a  Wolverene,  which  had  become  alarmed  and  was  making 
off,  stopped  frequently  and  put  up  his  paw  in  the  same  manner, 
in  order  to  see  more  clearly  the  nature  of  that  which  had  dis- 
turbed him. 

On  other  occasions,  the  Wolverene  displays  more  boldness 
than  this  in  the  presence  of  man.  It  has  been  known  to  seize 
upon  the  carcase  of  a  deer,  and  suffer  itself  to  be  shot  rather 


ITS   DISTRIBUTION   IN   THE   OLD   WORLD. 


57 


than  relinquish  possession,  though  the  hunter  had  approached 
within  twenty  yards  of  his  game.  When  pressed  by  the  pangs 
of  hunger,  still  bolder  exploits  are  sometimes  performed,  as  in 
the  instance  narrated  by  Capt.  J.  G.  Ross.  In  the  dead  of  an 
Arctic  winter,  his  ship's  company  were  surprised  by  a  visit 
from  a  Wolverene,  which  clambered  over  the  snow  wall  sur- 
rounding the  vessel,  and  came  boldly  on  deck  among  the  men. 
Forgetful  of  its  safety  in  the  extremity  of  its  need  for  food, 
the  animal  seized  a  canister  of  meat,  and  suffered  himself  to 
be  noosed  while  eating. 

DISTRIBUTION  OF  THE  SPECIES  IN  THE  OLD  WORLD. 

This  portion  of  the  subject  is  translated  from  J.  F.  Brandt's 
elaborate  article.* 

According  to  Georgi  {I.  s.  c.  [i.  e.  Geogr.  Phys.  Beschr.  1786] 
p.  1547),  the  Glutton  is  found  in  the  temperate,  and  particu- 
larly in  the  cold  regions  of  Eussia  and  Siberia ;  that  is  to  say, 
from  Lithuania  and  Gurland,  where,  however,  it  is  rare,  to 
Finland,  Kola,  Archangel,  Wologda,  Perm;  and  in  Siberia, 
from  the  mountains  which  bound  this  country  (the  Altalt,  the 
Sajan,  and  Danrian  Alps,  the  Stannovoi,  &c.),  to  the  Arctic 
Tandras.  Brincken  (Mem.  sur  la  For^t  de  Bidlowicza,  p.  45) 
speaks  of  Gluttons  in  the  forest  of  Bidlowicza.  Eichwald, 
however,  two  years  later  (1830),  states  that  formerly  they  were 
only  found  in  some  few  forests  of  Podolia  and  Pinsk  (Skizze, 
p.  237).  In  1791,  Fischer  says  (Naturgesch.  von  Livland, 
Livonia,  2d  edition,  p.  141)  that  the  Glutton  was  already  rare 
in  Livonia,  though  still  common  in  Russia,  Poland,  Lithuania, 
and  Lapland,  as  well  as  in  Gurland;  though  in  Derschau 
and  von  Keyserling's  description  of  the  Province  of  Gur- 
land, published  as  early  as  1805,  the  Glutton  is  not  mentioned 
among  the  animals  of  Gurland,  and  it  is  likewise  wanting  in 
Lichtenstein's  Gatalogue  of  the  Mammals  of  Gurland, 
published  in  1829  (Bull.  Nat.  Hist.  Moscon).  Kessler  only 
mentions  the  Glutton  incidentally,  stating  that  there  were 
reports  of  its  casual  appearance,  and  that  a  specimen  was 
once  captured,  though  giving  no  particulars.  According 
to  Rczaczynski  (Auctuar.  Hist.  Nat.  p.  311),  two  Glut- 
tons were  killed  in  Podolia  at  the  beginning  of  the  last 
century.     It  is,  therefore,  unquestionable  thai  the  Glutton 

*  Bemerknngeu  Uber  die  Wirbelthiere  des  Qordlichen  enropaiscben  Rnss- 
lauds,  besonders  dea  nordlicben  Ural's.  Ein  Beitrag  zar  naheren  zoolo- 
gisch-geograpbiscboD  Kenntniss  Nordost-Europa'a. 


58 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


was  occasionally  fouud  iu  Gurland,  LitkuaDia,  and  Fodolia 
during  the  last  century,  but  that  it  no  longer  extends  so  far 
westward  and  southward,  so  that  we  may  rely,  concern- 
ing its  appearance  in  Bussia,  upon  the  statement  of  Pallas 
(Zoiig.  B.-A.  i.  p.  74)  that  the  animal  was  seldom  found  in 
European  Bussia,  except  in  the  northerly  forests,  though  com- 
mon in  Siberia.  In  East  Siberia,  Sarytschew  (Beise,  i.  p. 77) 
discovered  it  on  the  middle  portions  of  the  Indigirka.  Wran  - 
gel  (Beise,  ii.  pp.  274, 238)  indicates  the  occurrence  of  the  Glut- 
ton in  Werchojansk  and  the  country  of  the  Tschukts.  G  e  b  1  e  r 
(Uebersicht  d.  Katuuischen  Geb.  p.  84)  calls  Gulo  borealis 
a  solitary  inhabitant  of  the  Altai  forests,  and  we  once  received 
from  him  a  specimen  from  the  Altai  region.  According  to  vo n 
Middendorff,  the  Glutton  is  also  found  on  the  Boganida 
Biver,  whence  it  makes  excursions  to  the  Tundra,  to  plunder 
the  traps  set  for  the  Yulpeslagopus.  It  was  lately  observed 
by  Wosnessenski  in  Kamtschatka,  where  it  was  more  nu- 
merous in  northern  than  iu  southern  portions.  There,  particu- 
larly in  the  Anadyr  regions,  it  is  said  to  inhabit  the  Tundras 

rather  than  the  forests Georgi  (7.  o.)  designates  the 

Ural  in  general,  Lehman n  (Brandt  in  Lehmaun's  Beise 
Zoolog.  Append,  p.  301)  and  Eversmanu,  probably  more 
rightly,  only  the  middle  and  northerly  Ural  as  its  habitat. 
According  to  Hoffmann's  verbal  communications,  the  ani- 
mal is  to  be  found  in  the  northerly  IJral,  at  least  as  far  as 
forests  exist,  as  before  indicated  by  Georgi,  and  seems  to  be 
not  rare  there,  for  a  skin  costs  but  three  silver  roubles,  and  the 
Samojeds  are  in  the  habit  of  trimming  their  garments  with  the 
fur.  Ermann  (Beise,  i.  1,  p.  562)  states  that  the  Glutton 
occurs  on  the  Obi  Biver.  Schrenck  (Beise,  i.  pp.  10,  66,  97) 
reports  that  it  is  found  in  the  forests  of  the  District  of  Mesen, 
particularly  on  the  Pinega  Biver,  and  sometimes  on  Onega 
Lake.  The  government  of  Wologda  annually  delivers  300  to 
500  Glutton  skins  (von  Baer  and  Helmersen,  Beitrage,  vii. 
p.  251).  I  do  not  recall,  after  more  than  twenty  years'  experi- 
ence in  the  government  of  St.  Petersburg,  a  single  instance  of  a 
Glutton's  having  been  captured  there.  Wallenius  (Fauna 
Fenn.  p.  11,  and  Forteckning  iifver  Sallsk.  Samlingar,  p.  7)  cites 
the  Glutton  as  inhabiting  the  Finnish  provinces  of  Tawastland 
and  Osterbotten.  We  may  safely  fix  its  present  distribution  in 
the  Bnssian  possessions  from  Finland  and  Bussian  Lapland  (?) 
to  Kamtschatka,  and  from  the  middle  Ural  and  Altai  to  the 
northerly  Tundra. 


CHAPTER    III. 


MUSTELINE— Continued :  The  Martens. 


The  genus  Muaiela — Generic  characters,  &c.— Analysis  of  North  Amerioan 
species — Mmtela  pennanti,  the  Pekan  or  Pennant's  Marten — Synonymy — 
Habitat — Specific  characters— Description  of  external  characters — Diuien- 
sions— Sknll  and  vertebrte— General  history,  habits,  and  geographical  dis- 
tribution— Interpolated  matter  relating  to  e::otic  species  of  Miutela — M. 
martes — Synonymy — Description  of  its  skull  and  teeth — M.  foina — Syn- 
onymy— ^Notes  on  its  characters — M.  zihelUiia — Synonymy — Measurements 
of  skulls  of  the  three  species— Comparative  diagnoses  of  M.  martea, 
americana,  ani  foina — Mxstela  americaHa,  the  American  Sable  or  Marten — 
Synonymy — Description  and  discussion  of  the  species — Table  of  measure- 
ments— Geographical  variation  in  the  skull — General  history  and  habits 
of  the  species. 

IN  this  chapter  are  treated  the  genus  Mustela  and  the  two 
species  by  which  it  is  represented  in  North  America.  Sev- 
eral closely  allied  species  of  the  Old  World  are  also  introduced, 
as  seemed  to  be  required  for  the  adequate  discussion  of  their 
intimate  relationships. 

The  Genus  MUSTELA.    (Linn.,  1758,  emend.) 

0 

<  MllstelSt  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  i.  lOtb  ed.  1738,  and  of  many  authors. 

<  Tiverra,  Shaw,  6en.  Zool.  i.  1800;  not  of  antliors. 
<6h10,  H.  Smith,  (fide  Gray);  not  of  Storr. 
=1inTttii,  Authors,  attet  Bay. 

>.PelC»lli«,  J.  K  Oray,  Profl.  Zool.  Soc.  Lond.  1865, 107.  (type  M.  pennanti.) 

>  FolBSt  J.  E.  Oray,  Proo.  Zool.  Soc.  Lond.  1865, 107.   (Type  if.  martet  var.  fagorum.) 

>  OharronlSt  /.  E.  Oray,  Proc.  ZooL  Soc.  1865, 108.    (Type  M.  Jlavigxiia  Bodd.) 


1-1  >   P™'4_4> 


1-1   

a-2   ~- 


Generic  cbahb.— Dental  formula :  i.  ^^3  ;  c.  {-^rt  5  P™-  Jtrf ;  n> 
j^  =  38  (as  in  Oulo ;  one  more  premolar,*  above  and  below,  on  each  side, 
than  in  Puioriiia).  Sectorial  tooth  of  lower  jaw  usually  with  an  internal 
cusp.  Anteorbital  foramen  presenting  vertically  or  somewhat  downward  as 
well  as  forward  (as  in  Putorim  ;  reverse  of  Crulo) ;  canal-like,  opening  over 
interspace  between  last  and  penultimate  premolars  (as  in  Gulo  ;  the  open- 
ing is  over  the  last  premolar  in  P\dor\\i9).  Skull  much  constricted  at  the 
middle,  the  rostral  portion  relatively  longer,  more  tapering  than  in  Oulo  or 

*'  As  a  not  infrequent  anomaly,  the  small  anterior  premolar  which  consti- 
tutes the  Increment  in  the  dental  formula  as  compared  with  that  of  PvLtorim 
fails  to  develop.  Thns  it  is  wanting  on  the  right  side  above  in  a  skull,  No. 
7159,  from  Fort  Good  Hope,  though  present  on  the  left  side  and  on  both  sides 
below.    Similarly,  an  incisor  occasionally  aborts. 

59 


60 


NORTH   AMERICAN  MUSTELID.E. 


Ptttoriua,  and  mach  more  obliquely  truncated  than  in  Putoriuf,  less  so  thaa 
in  Gulo ;  frontal  profile  more  or  less  concave.  Nasal  bones  narrower  in  the 
middle  than  at  either  end.  General  upper  outline  of  sknll  moderately 
arched.  Production  of  mastoids  and  auditory  bullie  and  general  prominence 
of  periotio  region  intermediate  between  Gulo  and  Putoriut.  Zygomatic  arch 
high  behind  (usaally  higher  than  in  front) ;  nowhere  vertical,  nor  developing 
a  posterior  convexity.  Depth  of  emarginatiou  of  palate  greater  than  dis* 
tance  thence  to  the  molarH.  Skull  as  a  whole  less  massive  than  in  either 
Oulo  or  PutoriM. 

Vertebral  formula. — According  to  Gerrard,  the  vertebrie  of  M.  maries,  type 
of  the  genus,  is  c.  7,  d.  16,  1. 6,  s.  :i,  cd.  18  or  19 ;  other  species  of  the  genus 
differ  in  the  number  of  caudals. 

Size  medium  and  large  for  this  subfamily.  Form  moderately  stout ;  claws 
strong,  curved,  acute.  Tail  longer  than  the  bead,  bushy,  cylindrical  or  taper- 
ing. Soles  densely  furry,  with  naked  pads.  Pelage  long  and  soft,  but  not 
shaggy ;  whole-colored,  or  nearly  so,  never  whitening  in  winter.  Progression 
digitigrade.    Habits  highly  arboreal  as  well  as  terrestrial ;  not  aquatic. 

This  genus  forms  the  liuk  between  Oulo  and  PutoriuSj  as  will 
be  evident  upon  comparison  of  the  diagnoses  of  the  three.  The 
skull,  however,  is  lighter  than  io  either  of  the  two  other  genera 
of  Mmtelinee^  with  more  produced  and  tapering  rostrum  ;  in 
height,  relative  to  length  or  breadth,  it  is  intermediate.  The 
species  have  a  somewhat  Fox-like  or  Catlike  superficial  aspect, 
rather  than  that  appearance  we  usually  associate  with  the  name 
of  "  WeaseF,  being  much  stouter-bodied,  more  copiously  haired, 
and  busiiier-tailed ;  one  species,  indeed,  is  commonly  called 
black  "  fox  "  or  black  "  cat ".  They  appear  to  be  more  decid- 
edly arboreal  than  the  Weasels,  spending  much  of  their  time  in 
trees,  and  are  not  aquatic,  like  several  of  the  Weasels  proper. 
They  are  agile  and  graceful  in  their  movements ;  and,  if  not  really 
more  active  than  the  Weasels,  their  actions  seem  to  possess 
a  quality  of  lightness  and  elasticity  di£ferent  from  the  writhing 
and  insinuative  motions  of  the  very  slender-bodied,  short-legged 
Weasels.  Although  strictly  carnivorous,  predacious,  and  de- 
structive to  many  kinds  of  small  Mammals  and  Birds,  they, 
appear  less  ferocious  and  bloodthirsty  than  the  Weasels,  whose 
sanguinary  impulses  seem  insatiable ;  and  at  times  they  exhibit 
a  playful  and  comparatively  amiable  disposition. 

The  name  of  the  genus  is  the  Latin  mustela  or  mustellaj  a 
kind  of  Weasel ;  the  word  being  apparently  derived  from,  or 
related  to,  the  more  general  term  mus.*    Its  adjectival  deriva- 

*  This  seems  to  have  included,  besides  Mice,  various  kinds  of  small  de- 
atmotive  animals,  such  as  now  might  be  collectively  referred  to  as  "  vermin". 
Thus,  mu$  pontieue  is  supposed  to  have  probably  been  an  Ermine.  The  word 
may  be  simply  a  long  form  of  mus,  like  maxilla  or  axilla  from  mala  and  ala. 


THE   OENUH   MUSTELA. 


61 


tive,  mii8telinu8,  refers  primarily  to  geueral  Weasel-like  quali- 
ties ;  secondarily,  to  the  peculiar  tawny  color  of  most  species 
of  Weasels  in  summer,  and  is  transferable  to  other  animals, 
just  as  "foxy*^  signifies  the  peculinr  red  of  the  Oommon  Fox. 
For  an  example,  familiar  to  ornithologists,  the  "tawny"  thrush 
of  Wilson,  Turdiia  "  muatelintis ",  may  be  cited. 

This  genus  comprises  the  Martens  and  Sables,  of  which  there 
are  several  species,  inhabiting  the  northern  portions  of  both 
Old  and  New  Worlds,  and  particularly  abundant  in  the  higher 
latitudes.  Aside  from  the  very  distinct  Fisher,  or  Pekan,  Mua- 
tela  pennantif  peculiar  to  North  America,  the  species  are  so 
closely  related  that  some  authors  have  contended  for  their 
identity.  There  appear,  however,  to  be  good  grounds  upon 
which  at  least  three  if  not  four  species  may  be  established ; 
one  confined  to  America,  the  rest  belonging  to  the  Old  World. 
The  high  commercial  value  of  the  pelts  of  these  animals,  and 
their  corresponding  economic  importance,  has  sharpened  the 
eyes  of  those  pecuniarily  interested  to  such  degree  that  nu- 
merous kinds  of  "sable"  and  "marten"  are  recognized  by  the 
furriers;  and  the  caprices  of  imperious  fashion  set  a  wholly 
fictitious  value  upon  slight  shades  of  color  or  other  variable 
conditions  of  pelage,  which  have  no  zoological  significance 
whatever.  The  Sable  par  excellence  is  the  Russian  and  Asiatic 
animal,  Muatela  zibellina,  a  variety  of  the  common  European 
Marten,  M.  martes,  or  a  closely  allied  species;  but,  as  all  Sables 
are  Martens,  it  is  perfectly  proper  to  speak  of  our  species,  M. 
nmericanttf  as  the  American  Sable  or  Marten.  Some  of  its  for- 
taitous  conditions  of  pelage — the  darker  shades — represent  the 
"  sable "  of  furriers,  while  in  the  ordinary  coloration  it  may  be 
called  by  another  name.  The  meanings  of  the  various  terms 
employed  to  designate  animals  of  this  genus  are  more  fully 
discussed  elsewhere,  under  beads  of  the  several  species. 

The  two  North  American  species  of  Mustela  may  be  readily 
distinguished  by  the  following  characters : — 

Analysis  of  the  North  American  species  of  Mustela. 

Larger :  length  two  feet  or  more ;  tail  a  foot  or  more,  the  rertebree  about  half 
the  length  of  head  and  body,  tapering  from  base  to  point.  Ears  low,  wide, 
Bemicironlar.  Blackish ;  lighter  on  fore  upper  parts  and  head ;  darkest 
below ;  no  light  throat-patch M.  pennanH. 

Smaller :  length  nnder  two  feet ;  tail  less  than  a  foot  long,  the  vertebrse  less 
than  half  the  length  of  the  body,  uniformly  bushy.  Ears  high,  sabtrian- 
gular.  Brown,  &c.;  not  darker  below  than  above ;  usually  a  large  yellow- 
ish or  tawny  throat-patch M.  anurieana. 


62 


NOBTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID.f:. 


The  Pekan,  or  Peniinnt*fi  Marten. 

nvBtela  pcnnantl. 

;Platb  II. 

Mmtela  peBMBlll,  Era.  Syst.  An.  1777,  470,  oo.  lO  (baHeil  on  the  FUher  of  Pmnant:  for 
diMnMion  of  nam*,  In  question  of  priority  over  eanadenii*  Scbrebor,  of.  Bd.  op.  it^frik 
nt.  p.  ISl).— Zimm.  Oeogr.  Oesch.  11.  1760,  310,  no.  906.— J.  8ah.  Frank.  Joam.  1883, 
09l.-Gfri/.  CaT.  R.  A.  ▼.  18S7,  lOS,  no.  354.-I>M«.  Man.  1837,  ISO,  no.  405— IVieA.  Syn. 
Mam.  1889,  817.— Oodm.  Am.  N.  H.  1. 1931,  303.— Bd.  M.  N.  A.  18S7,  )49,  pi.  36,  f.  1.— 
y«wb.  P.  R.  R.  Rep.  tI.  mil,  4l.-Ooop.  <«  SueU.  N.  H.  W.  T.  18W,  9i,  114.— Aow, 
'  Canid.  Nat.  ▼!.  1861,  U.—OUpin,  Tr.  Not.  Soot.  Iniit.  11. 1870,  9,  M.—AU.  Ball.  M.  C. 
Z.  1.  1869,  161  <MaM.)i  Ball.  Est.  Inst.  t1.  1874,  S4  (Colorado).— AmM,  Ball.  Minn. 
Acad.  Nat.  Sol.  1874,  69. 

Manes  pcbbmUI,  Oray,  P.  Z.  S.  1863, 107;  Cat.  Camlv.  Br.  Mas.  1869,  es. 

MaatclB  CBBBdtBtIt,  Sehrth.  Sttag.  Hi.  1778,  493,  pi.  134  (baaed  on  the  Pehm  of  Bnffon; 
not  M.  eanadeniii  of  Erxl.,  wbioh  is  Putoriut  viion).—Zimm.  Geog.  Gaaob.  IL 1780, 309, 
no.  807.— Bodd.  Elencb.  An.  1.  1784,  86.-Om.  S.  N.  i.  1788,  ii.—Turt.  S.  N.  1. 1806,  59 
(not  aamo  name  on  p.  57,  wbich  la  tbe  American  Otter).— fuAi,  Beltr.  1880, 74.— Dmai. 
Mamm.  1. 1880, 183,  no.  384 ;  Ency.  M«th.  pi.  80,  f.  4 ;  Kout.  Diet  xlx,  379.— ffaW.  Fn. 
Amer.  1835,  W.—Lut.  Man.  1837,  149.-ar</.  Cav.  R.  A.  ▼.  1837, 184,  no.  393.-JV«eA. 
8yn.  1839, 816.-J»«k.  F.  B.  A.  i.  18S9,  58,  no.  IH—Rieh.  Zodl.  Voy.  Blosaom,  1639, 10*.— 
Fr.  Ouv.  Diet  Sol.  Nat.  six.  856.- Afartin,  P.  Z.  S.  1833, 97  (anat.).— £miNOM,  Sep.  Qnad> 
Mass.  1840,  3B.—Wagn.  Sappl.  Sobreb.  11.  1841,  9313.— D*  Kay,  N.  T.  Zo8t.  1. 1848,  31, 
pi.  13,  f.  1  (akolD.-Aud.  <t  Baeh.  Q.  N.  A.  1. 1849,  307,  pi.  Al.—DeEay,  Fifth  Ann. 
Rep.  Reg.  Univ.  N.  T.  1863,  33,  pi.  (orig.  HfH—Thompt.  N.  H.  Vermont,  1853,  33.— 
Kenn.  Trans.  HI.  Bute  Agric.  Soo.  1853-4,  578  (Illinois,)- Zn««i.  Proo.  Boat.  Soo. 
vl.  1858, 418.-6i<be{,  Odontog.  36,  pi.  19,  f.  1 ;  Sttag.  1855,  Tn.-Alawim.  Arch.  Natarg. 
1861,  839.— £  'Uingt,  Canad.  Geol.  and  Nat.  11. 1837, 116.— Kn<«{and,  Proo.  Boat  Soo.  vl. 
1859,  418  (skeleton).— JETal?,  Canad.  Nat.  t).  18G1,  999.— Maxim.  Vera.  N.  A.  SKng. 
1868,  43. 

MastelB  CBBBdeBsH  var.  Bibs,  Rich.  op.  eit.  54  ("White  Pekan";  albinism). 

HBttelB  (MBrt«8)  CBBBdcBSls.  Schim,  Syn.  Ma.i!ffl.  1.  1844,  334. 

MartM  CBBBieBSlSi  Gray,  List  Mamm.  Br.  Mas.  1843,  63.— Oerrard,  Cat.  Bones  Br.  Mas. 
leca,  91. 

TlverrB  CBBMCBttS,  Shaw,  (3en.  Zool.  i.  1600,  499. 

MBatelB  ■clBBOrkyBChB,  Bodd.  Elenob.  An.  1784, 88,  no.  13  (based  on  FUher  of  Pennant) — 

Zimm.  in  Peon.  Arkt.  Zotfl.  1787,  83. 
Tlvern  ylacBtor,  Shaw,  Gen.  Zoiil.  l.  ISOO,  414  (based  on  FUher  of  Pennant). 
HBttelB  BlCTBt  Turt.  ed.  L.  S.  N.  1. 1806,  60  (=  FUher  Weaul  of  Pennant). 
MBStelB  KOiflUBl,  FUeh.  Syn.  Mamm.  1839,  817.— £«m.  Mamm.  1848, 150. 
MBltelB  plUBtoriB,  Lees.  Man.  1837,  ISO,  na  403  ((jaotes  pennanti  Erxl.  with  query). 
"6«lo  CBUilBeBa  e(  flerrBKlBens,  H.  Smith."— {J.  E.  Gray.) 
PekBB,  OhMim.  Noav.  France,  Hi.  1744, 134.— Bu/.  Hist.  Nat.  xlil,  1765,  304,  pi.  48  (biMls  of 

jr.  eafMientU  Sohreb.).— Bomm,  Diet.  d'Hist.  Nat.  ill.  1768,  401.— P«i»no,  Seataglia, 

An.  ()aad.  Iv.  1775,  pi.  155,  f.  1  (ex  Baffon).— Fctan,  Pcnn.  Syn.  Qaad.  1771,  834,  no. 

159 ;  Hist.  Qnad.  1781,  no.  304 ;  Arot.  Zool.  1. 1784,  78,  no.  88  (apparently  tame  as  the 

inimal  of  Briason  and  Baffon).— P«hin  ot  French  Canadian.    ("Peean  "  is  also  foond.) 
PekSB-BIBNer,  Maxim,  l.  e. 
FiBker,  Petm.  Syn.  Qaad.  1771,  83.1,  no.  157;  Hist.  Qaad.  1781,  328,  no.  903;  Arot.  Zool.  1. 

1784,  88,  no.  31  (basis  of  M.  ptnnantii,  Erxl.).— Fisher,  American,  Vulgo, 
Marte*pMieBr,  Deem.  op.  eit.  184. 
PeBBBBt'e  MBPtCBt  Oodm.  op.  etloe.eU. 
Uttadi,  Heame,  Joom.  — ,  378.    ( Alao  written  Weejaek.) 
9(«kaiek,  OreeIndiane(Xkhards(m)=:Ot»chilik,  Ojibwaye  {Maxim.) =\F^ack,  Fur  Tradere^ 

Woodehoek,  Angliei. 
TUUckAf  CUppevaymnt  iSoee).  * 

•  MMk  Pbx,  Black  CM,  Yvfgo. 

Hab. — ^North  America,  approximately  between  35°  and  65°,  in  wooded 
portions  of  tbe  conntry. 


DESCBIPTION   OF  MUSTELA    PENNANTI. 


6S 


Specific  CRARACTERH.— Black  or  blackish,  lif^btening  by  mixture  of  brown 
or  gray  on  the  apper  fore  part  anr*  head;  no  conspiouoas  light  tbroat- 
patoh;  generally  darker  below  tb;  a  above;  very  large  and  stoat;  length 
tj  or  3  feet ;  tuil  over  a  foot  long. 

Deioription  of  external  characters.* 

Form. — With  its  large  size,  this  animal  combines  a  stout- 
ness of  form  not  seen  in  other  species  of  the  genus.  The 
general  aspect  is  rather  that  of  a  Fox  than  of  a  Weasel,  but,  in 
place  of  the  acute  muzzle  and  pointed  ears  of  the  former,  we 
have  a  fuller  face,  somewhat  canine  in  physiogno'  y.t  The 
muzzle  is  thick  and  short ;  the  prominent  nasal  pad  has  the 
ordinary  T-shape,  and  is  definitely  naked;  it  is  black.  The 
whiskers  are  stiff,  scant,  and  short,  hardly  reaching  to  the  ears ; 
there  are  other  stoutish  bristles  over  the  eye,  at  the  corner  of 
the  mouth,  on  the  cheeks  and  chin ;  they  are  all  black.  The 
eye  is  rather  large  and  full  for  this  group.  The  ears  are  low,, 
but  remarkably  broad,  being  about  twice  as  wide  at  base  as 
high ;  they  are  rounded  in  contour,  and  well  furred,  both  sides, 
to  the  entrance  of  the  meatus.  The  feet  are  broad  and  flat, 
furred  both  sides,  and  qrmed  with  very  stout,  compressed, 
much  curved,  acute  claws,  not  hidden  by  the  bristles  at  their 
base;  they  are  light-colored.  On  the  palm  may  usually  be 
seen  the  following  pads  (though  they  are  sometimes  hidden  by 
the  overgrowing  fur ):  one  at  the  end  of  each  digit ;  a  V-shaped 
area  of  four  nearly  coalesced  pads,  indicated  by  mere  sulci  be- 
tween them,  situated  opposite  the  first  digit,  and  indicating  the 
bases  of,  respectively,  the  first,  the  second,  the  third  and  fourth 
combined,  and  the  fifth  digit.  There  is  a  tenth  pad,  isolated 
from  the  rest,  far  back,  on  the  wrist,  near  the  outer  border. 
On  the  hind  feet,  the  arrangement  of  the  naked  bulbs  is  essen- 
tially the  same,  excepting  that  the  hindermost  (tenth)  one  is 
wanting.    The  tail-vertebrse  are  about  half  as  long  as  the  head 

*From  varions  specimens  in  the  Smithsonian  Institation. 

t"  The  physiognomy  of  the  Pckan  is  very  different  from  that  of  the  Marten. 
When  the  latter  is  threatened,  its  features  resemble  those  of  an  enraged  oat, 
but  the  expression  of  the  ^ekan's  countenance  approaches  to  that  of  a  dog, 
though  the  apparent  obliquity  of  its  eyes  gives  it  a  sinister  look.  The  head 
has  a  strong,  roundish,  compact  appearance,  and  contracts  suddenly  to  form 
the  nose,  which  terminates  rather  acutely.  The  ears,  low  and  semioiroular, 
are  far  apart,  so  as  to  leave  a  broad  and  slightly  rounded  forehead.  They 
are  smaller  in  proportion  than  the  ears  of  the  Pine-martin.  The  eyes,  situ- 
ated where  the  head  curves  in  to  form  the  nose,  appear  more  oblique  than- 
they  really  are."— (Richardson,  I.  c.) 


64 


NORTH  AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


Ill  I 


Vji 


IL.I.t.||. 


and  body.  The  tail  is  cyliudric-conic,  rapidly  ta)>eriQg  to  a 
sharp  point  from  the  enlarged  and  bushy  base.  The  general 
pelage  is  much  coitrser  than  that  of  the  true  Martens,  and 
^ooser,  if  not  longer;  it  consists  of  the  usual  undt'r  fur,  with 
long,  glossy,  bristly  hairs  intermixed.  The  pelago  is  very  short 
on  the  head. 

Color. — Color  is  very  variable,  accordiug  to  age,  season,  or 
other  fortuitous  oircumstances ;  in  general,  how«iver,  a  particu- 
lar pattern,  if  not  also  tone,  is  preserved.  The  animal  is  darker 
below  than  above,  at  least  on  parts  of  the  belly,  contrary  to  the 
usual  rule  in  this  group.  The  belly,  legs,  and  tail,  in  most  ma- 
ture examples,  are  black  or  blackish-brown,  and  the  hinder 
part  of  the  body  above  is  much  the  same.  On  the  rest  of  the 
upper  parts,  however,  there  is  a  progressive  lightening  toward 
the  head,  from  increasing  admixture  of  light  brown  and  gray 
shade,  which  colors,  occupying  but  little,  if  any,  of  the  length 
of  the  hairs  on  the  dark  parts  of  the  body,  on  the  lighter  parts 
so  increase  in  extent  that  they  give  the  prevailing  tone,  over- 
I)owering  both  the  smoky-brown  bases  and  the  blackish  tips  of 
the  hairs.  The  ear  has  usually  a  light  bordering.  On  the 
under  parts,  even  of  the  blackest  individuals,  are  usually  found 
irregular  white  (not  tawny  or  buffy)  blotches  on  the  chest,  in 
the  arm-pits,  and  on  the  lower  belly  between  the  thighs.  The 
throat  may  also  show  a  few  white  hairs,  though  I  have  never 
observed  anything  like  the  conspicuous  light  gular  area  com- 
monly displayed  by  the  Marten. 

Smaller  specimens  before  me  lack  much  of  the  general  black- 
ishness  above  indicated ;  still  the  feet,  tail,  and  at  least  a  me- 
dian abdominal  area  are  darker  than  the  upper  parts  in  general, 
though  the  darkness  is  rather  brown  than  black.  The  light 
upper  parts  are  pale  (  "  oary  gray,  overlaid  with  the  blackish 
tips  of  the  hairs.  Both  llichardson  and  Audubon  note  near' 
white  specimens. 

Dimensions. — Of  the  full-grown  animal,  about  30  inches  from 
nose  to  root  of  tail  (many  specimens  are  only  about  2  feet  long, 
while  others  a  third  larger  than  this  are  noted).  Tail-vertebne 
about  14  inches  (12  to  16),  the  terminal  hairs  2  to  4  inches 
longer.  Nose  to  eye  2  inches  ;  to  occiput,  over  curve  of  bead, 
()^ ;  ear  1  inch  high,  about  twice  as  broad ;  distance  between 
tips  of  ears'?  inches ;  hind  foot  4^ ;  fore  leg,  from  elbow,* 6  or 
7  inches ;  hind  leg,  from  hip,  nearly  12.  Individuals  are  said 
to  range  in  weight  from  8^  to  18  pounds. 


SKULL  AND  VERTEfiR.E  OF  M.  PENNANTL 


65 


Skull  and  vertebra.'. 

Cranium. — The  skull  of  this  species  is  instantly  distinguished 
from  that  of  M.  martes  by  its  obviously  superior  size.  The  larg- 
est ot  bix  examples  before  me  measures  4.40  in  extrnme  length 
by  2.40  in  greatest  zygomatic  width.  The  under  jr. «r  is  3.00  in 
length.  There  are  other  points.  The  zygomatic  arch  is  nota- 
bly lower.  The  skull  is  more  contracted  behind  the  orbits. 
The  lambdoidal  (occipiUl)  crest  is  stronger  and  more  flaring; 
its  termination  as  a  broad  flange  back  of  the  meatus  audito 
rius  is  conspicuous  when  the  skull  is  viewed  fk'om  above, 
whereas  in  the  skull  of  M.  martesj  held  in  the  same  position, 
the  terminations  of  this  crest  are  almost  hidden  by  the  bulge 
of  the  brain-box.  The  bony  palate  is  more  narrowly  and  deeply 
emarginate  behind.  The  bullie  anditoriiB  are  relatively  smaller 
and  flatter;  the  meatus  is  absolutely  smaller.  Some  other 
minor  points  might  be  established.  I  observe  no  noteworthy 
dental  peculiarities,  aside  from  superior  size  of  the  teeth. 
This  skull  exceeds  in  length  the  large  fossil  one  mentioned  by 
Prof.  Baird  from  the  Bone  Cave  of  Pennsylvania,  which  is 
little  over  4  inches  long.  Several  New  York  skulls  are  less 
than  4  inches  in  length  by  little  over  2  in  greatest  breadth. 
One  skull,  of  a  very  old  animal,  in  which  the  sutures  are  all 
obliterated,  is  remarkably  massive,  and  broad  for  its  length, 
measuring  only  just  4  inches  long  by  full  2.40  in  breadth. 
This  series  of  skulls,  like  others  in  this  group,  shows  that  the 
(character  of  the  sagittal  crest,  or  elevation,  is  wholly  transi- 
tory ;  in  old  specimens,  the  crest  is  a  thin  laminar  ridge,  while 
in  others  there  is  a  median  longitudinal  elevation  half  an  inch 
or  more  in  width.  The  lambdoidal  crest  is  subject  to  the  same 
luodiflcations.  The  constriction  of  the  skull  back  of  the  supra- 
orbital processes  also  increases  with  age. 

Vcrtebrfp :—c.  7,  d.  14, 1.  6,  s.  3,  cd.  20  or  21  (Oerrard).  Knee- 
laud  {he.  suprii  cit.)  gives  the  caudals  u.  20;  the  rest  of  his 
formula  agrees  with  Gerrard^s.  Of  the  14  ribs,  he  gives  10  as 
apparently  "  true  "  (sternal). 

The  Pekan  is  much  the  largest  of  the  genus,  and  indeed  of 
the  whole  Weasel  kind  (subfamily  Muntelhuv),  excepting  only 
the  Wolverene  and  (Irison.  In  size,  as  In  some  other  points  of 
form,  vigor,  and  ferocity,  it  approaches  the  Wolverene,  and  is 
obviously  the  connecting  link  between  Muatela  and  Oulo.  It 
has  no  immediate  representative  in  the  Old  World. 
5  M 


66 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^G. 


GENERAL  HISTORY,  HABITS,  AND  GEOGRAPHICAL    DISTRIBU- 
TION OF  THE  SPECIES. 

As  this  species  is  confined  to  North'  America,  and  as  it  pre- 
sents marked  zoological  characters,  its  written  history  is  less 
extensive  and  less  involved  than  that  of  animals  which  have 
a  circumpoiar  distribution  in  both  the  Old  and  New  World. 
In  tracing  up  this  matter,  we  go  back  to  the  works  of  Bn£fon, 
Brisson,  and  Pennant,  all  of  whom  appear  to  have  described 
the  animal  from  the  same  specimen — one  in  the  cabinet  of  M. 
Aubry  at  Paris.  It  is  the  Pekan  of  Bnffon,  1765,  and  the 
Fisher  of  Pennant,  Syn.  Qaad.  1771.  Pennant's  account  of 
his  Fisher  is  unmistakable ;  but  he  describes,  in  addition,  the 
Pekan  of  Bnffon,  not  recognizing  in  it  the  same  species.  These 
two  accounts  furnished  for  many  years  the  bases  of  all  the  sci- 
entific binomial  names  imposed  by  various  authors.  The  Mus- 
tela  canadensis  of  Schreber,  1777,  is  the  Pekan  of  Bnffon ;  the 
M.  pennantii  of  Erxleben,  1777,  and  M.  melanorhyncha  of  Bod- 
daert,  1784,  are  the  Fisher  of  Pennant.  This  is  perfectly  plain ; 
but  a  question  of  priority  arises  between  the  names  pennantii 
Erxl.  and  canadensis  Schreb.,  owing  to  some  uncertainty  of 
actual  date  of  publication  of  the  works  of  Erxleben  and 
Schreber,  since  the  supposed  earlier  author  quotes  the  other  in 
various  places.  Judging,  however,  by  the  printed  dates  of 
publication,  as  the  proper  means  of  arbitration,  pennantii  of 
Erxlelta  takes  precedence.  The  question  is,  aowever,  further 
complicated  by  the  fact  that  Erxleben  has  also  a  Mustela  cana- 
densis (p.  455),  which  Included  both  the  Vison  and  Pekan  of 
Buffon — the  Mink  and  the  Fisher;  and  many  authors  have 
adopted  the  name  for  the  latter.  But,  as  Prof.  Baird  has 
clearly  shown,  Erxleben's  description  of  M.  canadensis  applies 
solely  to  the  Mink,  and,  indeed,  will  take  precedence  over  M. 
visony  if  Brisson  be  not  quotable  as  an  authority  in  binominal 
nomenclature.  As  a  summary  of  the  subject,  therefore,  it  may 
be  said  that  M.  canadensis  Erxl.  goes  to  the  Mink,  while  M.  ca- 
nadensis Schreb.  and  authors  sinks  to  a  synonym  of  M.  pennantii 
Erxl. 

In  later  years,  various  nominal  species  have  been  establisht<d 
upon  the  Pekan,  none  of  which,  however,  require  special  dis- 
cussion. 

The  name  Fisher,  very  generally  applied  to  this  species  by 
others  as  well  as  authors,  is  of  uncertain  origin,  but  probably 


HISTORY  AND  HABITS  OP  THE  PEKAN. 


67 


arose  from  some  miscoDception  of  its  habits,  or  from  confound- 
iug  them  with  those  of  the  Mink.  The  name  is  entirely  inap- 
plicable, as  the  animal  is  not  aquatic,  does  not  fish,  nor  habitu- 
ally live  upon  fish,  and  it  should  be  discarded,  as  likely  to 
perpetuate  the  confusion  and  misunderstanding  of  which  it  has 
always  to  a  greater  or  less  extent  been  the  cause.  Pekan  is  a 
word  of  unknown,*  or  at  least  of  no  obvious,  application,  but 
is  less  objectionable,  inasmuch  as  it  does  not  mislead.  As  to 
the  supposed  piscatorial  exploits  of  the  Pekan,  we  find  refuta- 
tion in  some  of  the  very  earliest  accounts  of  those  who,  unlike 
certain  compilers  of  books,  had  actual  knowledge  of  the  ani- 
mals they  recounted.  Thus  Bartram,  who  is  quoted  by  Pen- 
nant, state&  that  "  though  they  are  not  amphibious,  and  live  on 
all  kinds  of  lesser  quadrupeds,  they  are  called  Fishers".  Hearne 
states  that  they  dislike  water  as  much  as  cats  do.  In  fact,  the 
universal  testimony  of  those  who  are  best  informed  is  that  the 
economy  of  the  Pekan  is  as  nearly  as  possible  like  that  of  the 
Pine  Marten,  as  indeed  one  would  expect,  judging  by  analogy. 
Godman,  a  naturalist  who  has  perhaps  not  always  been  fully 
appreciated,  states  the  case  correctly  in  criticising  the  same 
points: — "That  it  will  eat  fish  when  thrown  on  shore  there  is 
little  doubt,  as  almost  all  the  carnivorous  animals  are  delighted 
with  such  food :  but  we  have  no  proof  that  this  Marten  is  in 
the  habit  of  fishing  for  itself.''  Sir  John  Richardson  has  a  para- 
graph which  may  be  quoted  in  continuation  of  this  point,  as 
well  as  for  its  affording  further  insight  into  the  character  of  the 
species : — 

"The  Pekan  is  a  larger  and  stronger  animal  than  any  variety 
of  the  Pine  Marten,  but  it  has  similar  manners ;  climbing 
trees  with  facility,  and  preying  principally  upon  mice.  It  lives 
in  the  woods,  preferring  damp  places  in  the  vicinity  of  water, 
in  which  respect  it  differs  from  the  Martin,  which  is  generally 
found  in  the  dryest  spots  of  the  pine  forests.  The  Fisher  is 
said  to  prey  much  upon  frogs  in  the  summer  season;  but  I 
have  been  informed  that  its  favorite  food  is  the  Canada  porcu-, 
pine,  which  it  kills  by  biting  on  the  belly.  It  does  not  seek  its 
food  in  the  water,  although,  like  the  Pine-martin,  it  will  feed 

upon  the  hoards  of  frozen  fish  laid  up  by  the  residents 

It  brings  forth,  once  a  year,  from  two  to  four  young." 

Doubt  has  been  cast  by  Audubon  upon  Richardson's  state- 

*  Compare  Ptan  or  Petan,  the  Asaiuiboine  name  of  the  Otter,  which  may 
possibly  have  become  transferred  with  modification  to  the  present  species. 


m 


68 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


ment  that  the  Pekan  kills  the  Porcupine ;  bat  its  accuracy  is 
attested  by  Mr.  Oilpio  in  the  article  above  quoted,  who  states 
that  Porcupine  quills  have  been  found  in  its  stomach. 

A  modified  derivation  of  the  name  Fisher  is  given  by  De 
Kay: — "We  are  informed  by  a  person  who  resided  many  years 
near  Lak6  Oneida,  wh6re  the  Fisher  was  then  common,  that 
the  name  was  derived  from  its  singular  fondness  for  the  fish 
used  to  bait  traps.  The  hunters  were  in  the  practice  of  soak- 
ing their  fish  over  night,  and  it  was  frequently  carried  off  by 
the  fisher,  whose  well  known  tracks  were  seen  in  the  vicinity. 
In  Hamilton  County  it  is  still  [1842]  numerous  and  trouble- 
some. The  hunters  there  have  assured  me  that  they  have 
known  a  fisher  to  destroy  twelve  out  of  thirteen  traps  in  a  line 
not  moi-e  than  fourteen  miles  long."  The  same  author  vontin- 
nes:— "The  hunting  season  for  the  fisher,  in  the  northern  part 
of  the  State,  commences  about  the  tenth  of  October,  and  lasts 
to  the  middle  of  May,  when  the  Airs  are  not  so  valuable.  The 
ordinary  price  is  $1.50  per  skin;  but  it  is  not  so  fine,  nor  so 
highly  valued  as  that  of  the  sable."  According  to  all  ac- 
counts, the  animals  were  formerly  very  abundant  in  the  State 
of  New  York,  where,  however,  they  have  latterly  become  re- 
stricted to  northern  mountainous  and  thinly  settled  portions. 

The  bone  caves  of  Pennsylvania,  according  to  Baird,  have 
furnished  numerous  remains  of  Pennant's  Marten,  among  them 
one  skull  larger  than  some  recent  ones  examined  (but  compare 
p.  65).  The  animal  may  be  still  found  occasionally  in  the 
mountains  north  of  Carlisle,  in  Perry  County,  where  the  liv-' 
ing  animal  figured  by  Audubon  was  procured. 

The  distribution  of  the  Pekan  is  general  in  wooded  districts 
throughout  the  greater  part  of  North  America.  As  indicating 
approximately  the  southern  limit  of  its  distribution  (for,  like 
the  Marten  and  Ermine,  it  is  essentially  a  northern  animal),  we 
may  refer  to  its  occurrences  in  North  Carolina  and  Tennessee, 
as  attested  by  Audubon  and  fiachman.  The  parallel  of  35° 
may  be  near  its  limit.  Mr.  Allen  recently  asce^  tained  its  pres- 
ence in  Colorado.  West  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  it  was  long 
ago  noted  by  Lewis  and  Clarke,  whose  accounts  of  the  "  Black 
Fox  "  are  checked  by  numerous  later  observers,  as  Newberry, 
Cooper,  and  Suckley,  who  found  it  in  Washington  and  Oregon 
Territories.  From  California,  however,  I  have  no  advices, 
though  the  animal  probably  inhabits  at  least  a  part  of  that 
State.    Dr.  Newberry  says  it  is  rare  in  Oregon,  but  less  so  in 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS   OF   THE    t»EKAN. 


69 


Washiugtou  Territory.  According  to  Dr.  Suckley,  it  is  found 
quite  plentifully  in  the  thickly  wooded  districts  along  the 
eastern,  and  probably  also  the  western,. slopes  of  the  Cascade 
Range,  especially  in  the  neighborhood  of  streams ;  it  also  in- 
habits the  Blue  Mountains  of  the  same  region.  In  the  eastern 
United  States,  it  must  not  be  presumed  that  it  actually  occurs 
now  throughout  its  ascribed  range ;  for  the  settlement  of  ^be 
country  practically  restricts  it  to  the  more  inaccessible  or  at 
least  unfrequented  wooded  districts.  Many  years  ago,  as  we 
have  already  seen,  it  had  become  greatly  thinned  out  in  the 
Middle  States,  and  this  process  has  been  steadily  progressing, 
until,  at  the  present  day,  the  Pekan  is  almost  unknown  in  most 
of  the  United  States  east  of  the  Mississippi.  Writing  in  1S53, 
Mr.  Kennicot  states  it  "used  frequently  to  be  seen"  in  Illinois 
in  the  heavy  timber  along  Lake  Michigan.  In  New  England, 
according  to  Mr.  Allen,  it  probably  still  occurs,  though  rarely, 
in  the  Hoosac  ranges.  In  18^10,  Dr.  Emmons  reported  it  as 
occasionally  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Williamstown,  Mass., 
especially  in  the  mountainous  ranges  which  extend  through 
Stamford,  Vt.  It  is  stated  to  be  rare  in  Canada,  and  not  found 
at  all  in  the  populous  districts.  In  Nova  Scotia,  according  to 
Dr.  Gilpin,  it  was  never  .very  plenty,  and  is  being  rapidly 
exterminated,  only  two  hundred  at  most  being  taken  yearly, 
chiefly  in  the  high  wild  region  of  the  Cobequid  Uills  in  Cum- 
berland. In  British  America,  Sir  John  Richardson  states  that 
it  is  found  as  far  north  as  Great  Slave  Lake,  latitude  63^ ;  and 
the  specimens  I  have  examined  confirm  this  dispersion,  ex- 
tending it  to  include  Alaska  also. 

The  Pekan  is  stated  to  breed  but  once  a  year;  it  brings 
'V)rth  its  young  in  the  hollow  of  a  tree,  usually  30  or  40  feet 
from  the  ground.  Two,  three,  and  four  young,  but  not  more, 
so  far  as  I  have  learned,  are  produced  in  a  litter.  It  has  been 
known  to  offer  desperate  resistance  in  defence  of  its  young,  as 
on  the  occasion  when  the  individual  figured  by  Audubon  was 
procured.  This  animal,  a  young  one,  was  kept  in  confinement 
for  several  days.  ^'  It  was  voracious,  and  verv  spiteful,  growl- 
ing, snarling  and  spitting  when  approached,  but  it  did  not 
appear  to  suffer  much  uneasiness  from  being  held  in  captivity, 
as,  like  many  other  predacious  quadrupeds,  it  grew  fat,  being 
better  supplied  with  food  than  when  it  ha'l  been  obliged  to 
cater  for  itself  in  the  woods."  Another  mentioned  by  the 
same  author  as  having  been  exhibited  in  a  menagerie  in 


70 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


'l^'ii 


\m 


Ul  H 


ill 

iPii  ii 


limk 


Gharlestou,  S.  C,  some  moDths  after  its  capture,  continued 
sullen  and  spiteful,  hastily  swallowing  its  food  nearly  whole, 
and  then  retiring  in  growling  humor  to  a  dark  corner  of  its 
cage.  Hearne,  however,  has  remarked  that  the  animal  is  easily 
tamed,  and  shows  some  affection  at  times.  When  taken  very 
young,  it  may  become  perfectly  tume,  and  as  playful  as  a 
kitten ;  such  was  the  case  with  a  pair  mentioned  by  Mr.  B.  B. 
Koss. 

The  Pekan  is  sometimes  forced,  by  failure  of  other  sources 
of  supply,  to  a  vegetarian  diet,  when  it  feeds  freely  upon  beech- 
nuts. 

In  continuation  of  the  history  of  this  animal,  which  I  have  had 
no  opportunity  of  studying  in  the  living  state,  the  following 
paragraphs  are  quoted  from  the  authors  just  mentioned,  as 
illustrative  of  its  habits  and  manners: — 

"  Pennant's  Marten  appears  to  prefer  low  swampy  ground ; 
we  traced  one  which  had  followed  a  trout  stream  for  some  dis- 
tance, and  ascertained  that  it  had  not  gone  into  the  water. 
Marks  were  quite  visible  in  different  places  where  it  had 
scratched  up  the  snow  by  the  side  of  logs  and  piles  of  timber, 
to  seek  for  mice  or  other  small  quadrupeds,  and  we  have  no 
doubt  it  preys  upon  the  Northern  hare,  gray  rabbit,  and  ruffed 
grouse,  as  we  observed  a  great  many  tracks  of  those  species  in 
the  vicinity.  It  further  appears  that  this  animal  makes  an 
occasional  meal  on  species  which  are  much  more  closely  allied 
to  it  than  those  just  mentioned.  In  a  letter  we  received  from 
Mr.  Fothergill,  in  which  he  furnishes  us  with  notes  on  the  habits 
of  some  of  the  animals  existing  near  Lake  Ontario,  he  informs 
US  that  '  a  Fisher  was  shot  by  a  hunter  named  Marsh,  near 
Port  Hope,  who  said  it  was  up  a  tree,  in  close  pursuit  of  a  pine 
marten,  which  he  also  brought  with  it.'  ... 

"  Whilst  residing  in  the  northern  part  of  our  native  State 
(New  York),  thirty-five  years  ago,  the  hunters  were  in  the  habit 
of  bringing  us  two  or  three  specimens  of  this  Marten  in  the 
course  of  a  winter.  They  obtained  them  by  following  their 
tracks  in  the  snow,  when  the  animals  had  been  out  in  quest  of 
their  prey  the  previous  night,  thus  tracing  them  to  the  hollow 
trees  in  which  they  were  concealed,  which  they  chopped  down. 
They  informed  us  that  as  a  tree  was  falling,  the  Fisher  would 
dart  from  the  hollow,  which  was  often  fifty  feet  from  the  ground, 
and  leap  into  the  snow,  when  the  dogs  usually  seized  and  killed 
him,  although  not  without  a  hard  struggle,  as  the  Fisher  was 


HISTORY    AND    HABITS   OF   THE    PEKAN. 


71 


iutiuitoly  more  daugerous  to  their  houuiU  thau  either  the  gray 
or  red  fox.    They  usually  called  this  species  the  Black  Fox. 

"A  servant,  on  oue  occasion,  came  to  us  before  daylight,  ask- 
ing us  to  shoot  a  raccoon  for  him,  which,  after  having  been 
chased  by  his  dogs  the  previous  night,  had  taken  to  so  large  a 
tree  that  he  neither  felt  disposed  to  climb  it  nor  to  cut  it  down. 
On  our  arrival  at  the  place,  it  was  already  light,  and  the  dogs 
were  barking  furiously  at  the  foot  of  the  tree.  We  soon  per- 
ceived that  instead  of  being  a  raccoon,  the  animal  was  a  far 
more  rare  and  interesting  species,  a  Fisher.  As  we  were  anx- 
ious to  study  its  habits  we  did  not  immediately  shoot,  but  teased 
it  by  shaking  some  grape  vines  that  had  crept  up  nearly  to 
the  top  of  the  tree.  The  animal  not  only  became  thoroughly 
frightened,  but  seemed  furious ;  he  leaped  from  branch  to 
branch,  showing  his  teeth  and  growling  at  the  same  time ;  now 
and  then  he  ran  half  way  down  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  elevating 
his  back  in  the  manner  of  an  angry  cat,  and  we  every  moment 
expected  to  see  him  leap  off  and  fall  among  the  dogs.  He  was 
brought  down  after  several  discharges  of  the  gun.  He  seemed 
extremely  tenacious  of  life,  and  was  game  to  the  last,  holding 
on  to  the  nose  of  a  dog  with  a  dying  grasp.  This  animal  proved 
to  be  a  male;  the  body  measured  twenty-five  inches,  and  the 
tail,  including  the  fur,  fifteen.  The  servant  who  had  traced  him, 
informed  us  that  he  appeared  to  have  far  less  speed  than  a  fox, 
that  he  ran  for  ten  minutes  through  a  swamp  in  a  straight 
direction,  and  then  took  to  a  tree.  .  .  . 

"  Species  that  are  decidedly  nocturnal  in  their  habits,  fre- 
quently may  be  seen  moving  about  by  day  during  the  period 
when  they  are  engaged  in  providing  for  their  young.  Thus  the 
raccoon,  the  opossum,  and  all  our  hares,  are  constantly  met 
with  in  spring,  and  early  summer,  in  the  morning  and  after- 
noon, whilst  in  autumn  and  winter  they  only  move  about  by 
night.  In  the  many  fox  hunts,  in  which  our  neighbours  were 
from  time  to  time  engaged,  not  far  from  our  residence  at  the 
north,  ...  we  never  heard  of  their  having  encountered  a  single 
Fisher  in  the  daytime;  but  when  they  traversed  the  same 
grounds  at  night,  in  search  of  raccoons,  it  was  not  unusual  for 
them  to  discover  and  capture  this  species.  We  were  informed 
by  trappers  that  they  caught  the  Fisher  in  their  traps  only  by 
night. 

"  On  several  occasions  we  have  seen  the  tracks  of  the  Fisher 
in  t'.ie  snow ;  they  resemble  those  of  the  pine  marten,  but  are 


72 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID.E. 


Ill 


ii 


imb 


doable  their  size.  To  judge  by  them,  the  auimal  advances  by 
short  leaps  in  the  manner  qf  a  mink." 

I  will  supplement  this  account  with  the  interesting  experi- 
ences of  Mr.  B.  B.  Boss  (as  recounted  I.  s.  c.)  with  this  species 
in  the  Mackenzie  Bi  ver  region  :— "  In  this  district  it  is  not  found 
except  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Besolution,  which  may  be  con- 
sidered as  its  northern  limit.  In  the  numerous  deltas  of  the 
mouth  of  Slave  Biver  it  is  abundant,  frequenting  the  large 
grassy  marshes  or  prairies,  for  the  purpose  of  catching  mice,  its 
principal  food.  In  appearance  it  bears  a  strong  family  likeness 
to  both  the  martin  and  the  wolverene.  Its  general  shape  assimi- 
lates more  to  the  former,  but  the  head  and  ears  have  a  greater 
similitude  to  those  of  the  latter.  It  is  named  by  the  Ghippe- 
wayan  Indians  'Tha  cho,'  or  great  martin.  Its  neck,  legs  and 
feet  are  stouter  in  proportion  thau  those  of  the  martin,  and  its 
claws  much  stronger.  lu  color  and  size  it  varies  greatly.  Young 
full-furred  specimens,  or  those  born  the  previous  spring,  can 
scarcely  be  distinguished  from  a  large  martin  except  by  a 
darker  pelage  and  a  less  full,  more  pointed  tail.  As  it  advances 
towards  old  age,  the  color  of  the  fur  grows  lighter,  the  long 
hairs  become  coarser,  and  the  grayish  markings  are  of  greater 
extent  and  more  conspicuous. 

"The  largest  fisher  which  I  have  seen  was  killed  by  myself 
on  the  Bivi^re  de  Argent,  one  of  the  channels  of  the  mouth  of 
Slave  Biver,  about  15  miles  from  Fort  Besolution.  It  was  fully 
as  long  as  a  Fulvus  fox,  much  more  muscular,  and  weighed  18 
pounds.  In  the  color  of  its  f > .  ^  the  greyish  tints  preponderated, 
extending  from  half  way  down  the  back  to  the  nose.  The  fur 
was  comparatively  coarse;  though  thick  and  full.  The  tail  was 
long  and  pointed,  and  the  whole  shade  of  the  pelage  was  very 
light  and  had  rather  a  faded  look.  Its  claws  were  very  strong 
and  of  brown  color;  and  as  if  to  mark  its  extreme  old  age  the 
teeth  were  a  good  deal  worn  and  very  much  decayed.  I  caught 
it  with  diflBculty.  For  about  two  weeks  it  had  been  infesting 
my  martin  road,  tearing  down  the  traps  and  devouring  the 
baits. .  So  resolved  to  destroy  it,  I  made  a  strong  wooden  trap. 
It  climbed  up  this,  entered  from  above,  and  ate  the  meat.  A 
gun  was  next  set  but  with  no  better  success,  it  cut  the  line 
and  ran  off  with  the  bone  that  was  tied  to  the  end  of  it.  As  a 
'dernier  resort'  I  put  a  steel  trap  in  the  middle  of  the  road, 
covered  it  careflilly,  and  set  a  bait  at  some  distance  on  each 
side.    Into  this  it  tumbled.    From  the  size  of  its  footprints  my 


ii'iiiy 


HISTORY   AND    HABITS   OP   THE   PEKAN. 


73 


impression  all  aloug  w<i8  that  it  was  a  small  wolverene  that  was 
annoying  me,  and  I  was  surprised  to  find  it  to  be  a  fisher.  It 
shewed  good  fight,  hissed  at  me  much  like  an  enraged  cat,  bit- 
ing at  the  iron  trap,  and  snapping  at  my  legs.  A  blow  ou  the 
nose  turned  it  over,  when  I  completed  its  death  by  compressing 
the  heart  with  my  foot  until  it  ceased  to  beat.  The  skin  when 
stretched  for  drying  was  fully  as  large  as  a  middle  sized  otter, 
and  very  strong,  in  this  respect  resembling  that  of  a  wolverene. 

t'ln  their  habits  the  fishers  resemble  the  martins.  Their 
food  is  much  the  same,  but  they  do  not  seem  to  keep  so  gener- 
ally in  the  woods.  They  are  not  so  nocturnal  in  their  wander- 
ings as  the  foxes.  An  old  fisher  is  nearly  as  great  an  infliction 
to  a  martin  trapper  as  a  wolverene.  It  is  an  exceedingly  pow- 
erful animal  for  its  size,  and  will  tear  down  the  wooden  traps 
with  ease.  Its  regularity  in  visiting  them  is  exemplary.  In 
cue  quality  it  is  however  superior  to  the  wolverene,  which  is 
that  it  leaves  the  sticks  of  the  traps  where  they  were  planted : 
while  the  other  beast  if  it  can  discover  nothing  better' to  hide, 
will  cache  them  some  distance  off.  It  prefers  meat  to  fish,  is 
not  very  cunning,  and  is  caught  without  difficulty  in  the  steel- 
trap.  Fishers  are  caught  by  methods  similar  to  those  employed 
in  fox-trapping." 

It  may  not  be  generally  known  that  the  Pekan  successfully 
assaults  an  animal  as  large  as  the  Kaccoon;  indeed,  that  the 
abundance  of  the  latter  in  some  districts  depends  in  a  measure 
upon  the  rarity  of  the  former.  The  following  letter,  addressed 
to  Prof.  Baird,  in  1857,  by  Mr.  Peter  Keid,  of  Washington 
County,  New  York,  sufficiently  attests  these  facts: — "Raccoons 
are  more  numerous  here  now  than  they  were  at  the  first  set- 
tlement of  the  country,  or  for  some  time  subsequent.  Thirty 
years  ago  they  were  so  seldom  found,  that  many  boys  15  or 
IS  years  old  had  scarcely  seen  one.  Before  the  increase  in 
their  numbers  I  once  witnessed  a  circumstance  that  satisfied 
my  mind  on  this  score.  Whilst  hunting,  early  one  winter  I 
found  the  carcase  of  a  freshly  killed  sheep,  and  by  the  tracks 
around  it  in  the  light  snow  perceived  that  a  Fisher  had  sur- 
prised a  Baccoon  at  the  feast.  A  hard  chase  had  ensued,  the 
Raccoon  tacking  at  fnll  speed  to  avoid  his  pursuer,  the  Fisher 
outrunning  and  continually  confronting  his  intended  victim. 
I  saw  where  at  length  the  Fisher  had  made  an  assault,  and 
where  a  bloody  contest  had  evidently  ensued.  The  Raccoon, 
worsted  in  the  encounter,  had  again  broken  away,  and  the  chase 


Mi 


74 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


was  resumed,  but  with  dimiuinbed  euergy  on  the  part  of  the  Rac- 
coon; the  animal  had  been  soon  overtaken  again,  and  a  still  more 
desperate  encounter  had  taken  place.  The  Goon  had  failed 
fast,  and  it  had  at  length  become  merely  a^unning  fight,  when 
both  animals  had  entered  a  swamp  where  it  was  impossible  for 
me  to  trace  them  further;  but  I  have  no  doubt  the  Goon  was 
killed.  1  have  witnessed  similar  engagements  between  the 
Mink  and  Muskrat,  the  Weasel  and  House  Sat,  always  ending 
in  the  death  of  the  assaulted.  The  Fisher  has  been  nearly 
extinct  in  these  parts  for  about  twenty-five  years,  and  this  to 
my  mind  accounts  for  the  great  increase  in  numbers  of  the 
Baccoon.^' 


INTKRPOLATED  MATTER  RELATING  TO  THE  EXOTIC  MUSTEL^E, 
MM.  MARTES,  FOINA,  AND  ZIBELLINA. 

Before  entering  upon  the  discussion  of  the  intimate  relatiousbips  of  the 
American  Sable  or  Pine  Marten  with  its  extralimital  allies,  some  notice  of 
the  latter  seems  to  be  required  in  order  to  a  better  understanding  of  the  in- 
tricate questions  concerned.  I  accordingly  present  the  three  exotic  species, 
with  such  remarks  as  seem  called  for  and  as  I' am  able  to  offer.  The  ma- 
terial before  me  indicates,  with  little  hazard  of  error,  that  the  American 
form  is  specifically  distinct  from  both  the  Beech  Marten  and  the  Pine  Marten 
of  Europe.  Its  relationships  with  the  Asiatic  Sable  seem  to  be  closer,  but 
these  I  am  unable  to  discuss  satisfactorily,  owing  to  lack  of  specimens  of  the 
Asiatic  animal. 

3ro(«.— Much  of  the  synonymy  relatinj;  to  these  exotic  species  has  been  rather  summa- 
rily compiled  at  second  hand,  and  should  be  talien  with  the  allowance  for  "  probable  error  " 
jrhich  nsnally  obtains  in  such  cases. 

1.  The  European  Pine  IVIarten. 

Nnstela  martea. 

Plati  III. 

Martn,  Antiquorum.—Aldrov.  Quad.  Digit.  1645,  331.— Charkt.  Ezercit.  1677,  i^.—Wagn. 

Helvet  latlO,  161.— <9ibb.  Scots.  Illust.  1684,  ii.  11.— £zac2.  Polon.  1721,  9^;  1736,  314.— 

Linn.  8.  X.  i.  9d  ed.  1740,  44.— Jontt.  Tbeatr.  Quad.  1755.  pL  64. 
Hartes  sylf  estrls,  Oem.  Quad.  ISSl,  865.  fig.— Jontt.  Theatr.  Quad.  1759, 156. 
Martes  arb*rea,  Sehwenekf.  Theriotroph.  1603, 110. 
Maries  la  arborlbasi  Agrie.  Anim.  Subter.  1614, 38. 
Martes  abletaa,  Ray,  Syn.  Quad.  1693,  iOO.—KUin,  Quad.  1751,  64.— Fleming,  Br.  An.  1838, 

14.— BeU,  Brit.  Quad.  1837, 174  ;  3d  ed.  1874, 317.— 6err.  Cat.  Bones.  Br.  Mas.  1863, 90.— 

Oratf,  List  Mamm.  Br.  Mus.  1843, 63;  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 104 ;  Cat  Cam.  Br.  Mas.  1869, 61.— 

FiU.  yAtVLTg.  SauK.  i.  1861, 335,  f.  67. 
Martes  abieiHB  van.  nartes,  ralgarls,  aliaica,  Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 104;  Cat.  Cam.  Br. 

Mus.  1869, 83  (bat  obviously  not  Muitela  altaiea  Pall.,  which  is  a  Putoriua). 
Mnstela  ftalvo  nigricans,  gula  pallida,  Linn.  Fn.  Suec.  1st  ed.  1746; 3,  no.  7 ;  Syst  Nat  ed. 

6th,  1748,  5,  no.  3  —Hill,  Hist.  An.  175-2:  546,  pi.  il—Kram.  Blench.  An.  17.-i6, 311. 


EUROPEAN   PINE   MARTEN,    MUSTELA   MARTES. 


75 


MnnteU  marles,  BrUii.  Quad.  17M,  '247,  no.  9.—L.  Pn.  8u«o.  9d  ed.  1761, 6,  no.  IS ;  S.  N.,  lOtb 

ed.  1738, 46,  DO.  9;  1. 1766,  67,  no.  6.— JftUL  Zool.  Dan.  Prod.  1776,  3,  no.  li.—ErxL  Syit. 

■      1777,  439,  no.  i.—Sohrtb.  S<iai{.  ill.  1778.  479,  pi.  VM.—Zimm.  OooL  Oeaoh.  ti,  1760,  303, 

no.  107.— Mrm.  Oba.  Zool.  43.—  WUdung.  TMOh.  18U0, 94,  pi.  3.— Om.  S.  N.  L  1788, 93,  no. 

S.—B*eh»t.  TSfttnrg.  Deutichl.  I. ,  169.—  ViieM.  M6m.  Soc.  Nat  Mows.  i.  1806, 949  (by 

bridity  with  oat).— 7ur(.  S.  N.  i.  1806,  iO.—Pall.  ZoJig.  1.  1811,  ai.—Dtim.  Mamm.i. 
1890,  lei,  no.  980 ;  Ency.  M^th.  pi.  81,  f.  4.—Fr.  Cue.  Mamm.  111.  Uvr.  69 ;  Diet.  Sci.  Kat. 
sxix.  955,  Ag.  X.-Qeoff.  Diet.  Ci»M.x.900.-£«M.  Mam.  1837, 148.-i^eA.  Syn.  1899, 914.— 
Jenyni,  Brit.  Vert.  1833.  U.—Sitm.PUt,  Arob.  Naturg.  1839, 2H,—K*yt.  A  Bla$.  Wlrb. 
Ear.  i.  1640,  m.—S«lyi-L.  Fn.  Belg.  1849,  H.—Blainv.  Compt  Rend.  zlv.  1849,  p.  910 
aeq.  pis.;  Oat^ogr.   1849,  —.—Bark.  N.  Act.   Leop.  xsv.  1843,  t60.'-8thiru,  Syn.  1844, 

35.— Bp.  Fn.  Ital.  iv.  t.  —.—Oieb.  Fn.  Vorn-.  Siiug. ,  56 ;  Odout ,  33 ;  SHag.  1835, 

774.— «m««I,  Arch.  Naturg.  xix.  18.53,  M.—Brnndt,  Bern.  Wirb.  Nord.  Ear.  RomI.  93; 
Beit.  Kennt  Siiog.  Riisal.  1.  1835,  pi.  Iv.-Midit.  81b.  Siiug.  69,  pi.  9,  t.—.—Sekr«nek., 

Reiite  AmurL ,  M.—Blai.  Wlrb.  Dentacbl.  1837, 313,  f.  191.  133.— JUekil,  Zool.  Oart 

ziv.  1873.457  (albino). 

.MuBtela  HirteH  var.  aklrluH,  L.  S.  x.  i.  1766, 67. 

TiTem  nanet,  Shaw,  o.  z.  i.  isuo,  4id. 

Martes  sylTStlea,  IfiUi.  Skand.  Fn.  {Uartat  itylreiitriti  (jesu.). 
NasteU  VHlgarlS,  OHff.  Cuv.  R.  A.  v.  18:27, 193,  uo.  34». 

MaNer,  Riding.  Abbild.  Tblere.  1740,  pi.  19.— J/iiK.  Samml.  ill. ,  .'lU ;  Nature.  1773, 967.— 

2Iartent,  Zool.  Oart  xi,  1870,  p.  934  (philological).— (rerman. 
Martre,  CharUr.  Nout.  France,  iii.  1744,  n*.—French. 
BaaniHarter,  Hatter,  Natarg.  Vierf.  Tb.  1737,  451.— Oennnn. 
Marie.  BrUi.  L  e.  BniT.  Hist  Nat  vil.  186,  pi.  •a.— Bom.  Diet  ill.  176^.  '.i'.— French. 
Marie  coaaaae.  Cur.  R.  A.  i.  149. 

Marler,  Houtt  Nat  Hiat.  Dieren.  ii.  1761,  Vi3.—Belaic. 

.Vaar, Pontopp.  Daa i.  1763, 610— DanUh. 

Marlora«  Seatao.  An.  Quad,  ii,  pi.  6».  (from  Batton}.— Italian. 

FeldnaNer,  J/are.  Buff.  Vierf.  Th.  Iv.  I5H. 

Kielaarier,  Oim. 

Maria,  Jipani^A.  i      •■ 

MiN,  SwedUh. 

Marllll,ti>«nn.  Syn.  Quad.  1771, 913,  no.  154  ;  Brit  Zool.  :)H.  tie. 

Plae  marten,  Sweet  Marlen,  lellow*breasled  M»ntn.-En'jlUh. 


Deatription  of  the  iikuU  atid  teeth  of  M.  martea. 
■,.  (See  Plate  III.) 

The  8kull  aud  teeth  of  M.  martes  may  be  described  ia  general  terms  to 
illustrate  this  part  of  the  stracture  of  the  genus,  aud  to  serve  as  a  standard 
of  comparison  for  the  other  closely  related  species.  The  points  in  which  they 
specially  differ  from  that  of  Pntoriua  are  elsewhere  summed.  The  skull 
indicates  considerable  strength,  particularly  in  the  rostral  portions,  where  it 
is  massive  (still  it  is  not  so  strong  reliitively  as  in  either  Gtilo  or  Putorim); 
the  cranial  part  is  thinner,  and  usually  gives  indication  of  the  cerebral  folds 
within.  Most  of  the  sutures  are  early  obliterated ;  those  of  the  nasals,  bullte 
anditoriaR,  and  zygomatic  processes  of  squamosal  and  malar  are  the  last  to 
disappear.  The  nasals  persist  separate  from  each  other  long  after  they  fuse 
with  the  maxillaries. 

The  zygomatic  width  of  the  skull  is  more  thau  half  its  length ;  these 
arches  are  upright,  but  are  borne  well  away  from  the  skull  by  the  outward 
obliquity  of  their  roots,  both  fore  and  aft.  From  an  egg-shape  cerebral 
part,  the  skull  tapers  to  a  decided  postorbital  constriction ;  this  is  approxi- 
mately of  the  same  (more  or  le^^s)  width  as  the  rostral  part.  The  cerebral 
part  is  rather  broader  than  high.    Tbn  upper  profile  of  the  skull  is  slightly 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


^ 
^ 


/ 


O 


u. 


1.0 

1^  li£    ill  2.2 

w  ij^   IIIIIk 

l.i 

1.4    III  ,,6 

1.25 

0> 


^ 


/: 


y 


/^ 


i 


ji'l 
I' 


il 


Uh 


76 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


convex,  sloping  more  rapidly  down  behind,  with  a  frontal  concavity  and 
oblique  nasal  orifice.  The  roof  of  the  brain-box  is  convex  in  every  direction  ; 
a  temporal  "fossa"  being  only  indicated  by  the  ridges  (sagittal  and  lamb- 
doidal),  which  indiciite  the  extent  of  the  temporal  muscle.  The  sagittal  crest 
divaricates  anteriorly  to  run  out  to  each  snpraorbital  process;  in  old  ani- 
mals, it  is  a  thin  high  ridge ;  in  the  young,  a  tablet  of  greater  or  less  width. 
The  occipital  crest  rises  and  flares  with  age,  but  is  always  a  thin  edge.  The 
occipital  depression  below  this  is  well  marked ;  the  condyles  are  notably 
projecting,  and  connected  by  a  sbarp  ridge  below  the  foramen  magnum. 
The  mastoids  are  not  conspicuous.  The  bulhe  are  large,  elongate,  oblique, 
convex  forward  ;  a  slight  constriction  across  them,  and  some  outward  pro- 
longation, develops  a  tubular  meatus.  Excepting  the  bnllse,  the  general 
floor  of  the  skull  is  quite  flat.  The  palate  is  completely  ossified  some  dis- 
tance back  of  the  molars,  and  nearly  plane.  A  broad,  deep  emargination 
lies  between  the  pterygoids ;  these  are  simply  laminar,  vertical,  and  terminate 
in  a  well  marked  haniular  process.  The  palatal  plates  of  the  intermaxil- 
laries,  when  not  fused,  are  seen  to  be  of  very  slight  extent ;  the  small  incisive 
foramina  do  not  reach  as  far  back  as  the  hinder  border  of  the  canines.  The 
orbits  are  pretty  well  defined  by  the  curve  of  the  zygoma  and  presence 
of  supraorbital  processes,  but  are  not  otherwise  distinguished  from  the 
general  temporal  cavity.  The  auteorbital  foramen  is  large,  high  up  over  the 
fore  edge  of  the  last  premolar.  The  nasal  orifice  has  a  well-marked  and  little 
irregular  bony  parietes. 

The  jaw  has  a  lightly  and  somewhat  irregularly  convex  inferior  profile.  The 
coronoid  plate  is  large,  erect,  its  apex  reaching  or  slightly  overlapping  the 
zygomatic  arch.  The  angle  of  the  jaw  is  a  slight  sharp  process.  The  con- 
dyle is  low,  about  on  the  level  of  the  teeth,  broad  from  side  to  side,  but  very 
narrow  in  the  opposite  direction.  Its  reception  in  the  glenoid  fossa  is  close, 
but  the  articulation  does  not  lock  as  in  Mths  or  Taxidea. 

The  single  upper  molar  is  completely  tubercular,  low,  flat,  with  irregular 
minor  elevations  and  depressions,  much  broader  transversely  than  length- 
wise, subquadrate  in  general  contour,  partly  divided  by  a  slight  median 
constriction  (both  vertical  aud  horizontal),  with  an  inner  and  outer  moiety, 
whereof  the  former  more  or  less  considerably  exceeds  the  outer  in  length. 
The  inner  border  of  this  inner  moiety  is  always  strongly  convex,  with  a 
raised  brim.  In  typical  M.  martis,  the  inner  moiety  is  twice  (to  speak 
roundly)  as  large  aa  the  outer.  In  M.  anwicana,  much  as  in  foina,  the 
disproportion  is  obviously  less.  The  outer  border  of  the  outer  moiety  in 
martea  iz  »iniply  convex ;  in  the  other  forms  just  mentioned  it  is  more  or 
les8emargi.;ate.  The  inner  moiety  shows  one  tubercle  within  the  brim^  the 
outer  has  two  such. 

The  next  tooth — last  premolar — is  the  largest  of  all,  and  sectorial  in  char- 
acter, but  with  a  prominent  fang  projecting  inward  from  the  anterior  end. 
In  profile,  it  shows  a  large,  pointed,  central  cusp,  flanked  before  and  behind 
with  a  small  one.  There  is  quite  an  excavation  between  the  large  central 
and  small  posterior  cusps.  The  next  two  molars,  of  nearly  equal  size,  are 
much  smaller  than  the  last,  but  repeat  its  characters  in  diminishing  degree, 
minus  the  antero-internal  fang.  The  remaining  anterior  premolar  is  very 
small.  It  is  a  simple  conical  cusp,  with  a  slight  heel  behind,  but  none  be- 
fore; it  occaeionally  aborts.    The  large  canines  are  not  peculiar.    The  six 


EUROPEAN   BEECH   MARTEN,    MUi-T£LA   FOINA. 


77 


inoisors  are  closely  crowded ;  the  ontei  pair  are  much  larger  than  the  rest ; 
these  are  all  alike.  The  onter  are  regularly  curved,  with  an  enlarged  cin- 
gulum  around  the  base;  the  others  start  obliquely  forward  from  the  jaw, 
then  turn  vertically  downward  with  an  appreciable  angle. 

In  the  lower  jaw,  of  the  two  molars  the  hindermost  is  small,  circular,  and 
completely  tuberculous.  The  next  is  the  largest  of  the  under  teeth,  chiefly 
sectorial  in  character,  but  with  a  depressed,  rimmed,  tubercular,  posterior 
moiety.  This  rim  at  each  of  its  ends  rises  into  a  slight  cusp,  but  the  inner 
one  is  merely  a  slight  heel  to  the  central  cusp,  instead  of  a  prominent  point 
as  in  M.  foina.  The  two  main  cusps  of  the  tooth  are  much  higher,  the 
hinder  one  highest,  compressed,  with  cutting  edge,  forming  with  each  other 
the  usual  V-shape  reentrance,  continued  further  down  as  a  closed  slit.  The 
last  premolar  is  a  conical  cusp  augmented  posteriorly  by  a  secondary  cusp 
half  as  hi^h,  and  with  a  heel  both  before  and  behind  at  the  base.  The  next 
premolar  is  like  the  last,  but  smaller,  with  a  mere  trace  of  the  secondary 
cusp,  though  it  is  well  heeled  fore  and  aft.  On  the  next  premolar,  the  sec 
oudaiy  cusp  entirely  subsides  in  a  general  gentle  slope  from  the  snmmit  of 
the  tooth  to  its  base  behind,  and  the  front  heel  is  not  developed.  The  first 
premolar  is  simply  a  minute  knob.  It  looks  like  a  tooth  hardly  yet  estab- 
lished, or  else  about  to  disappear.  The  lower  canines  are  shorter,  stouter, 
and  mure  curved  than  the  upper.  The  six  incisors  are  greatly  crowded  be- 
tween the  canines,  so  much  so  that,  through  lack  of  room,  one  at  least  some- 
times fails  to  develop,  leaving  only  five,  as  in  more  than  one  specimen  before 
me.  They  are  smaller  than  the  upper  ones,  and  not  so  regular,  for  one  ur 
a  pair— most  frequently  the  middle  one — on  each  side  is  crowded  back  out 
of  the  plane  of  the  rest.  As  in  the  upper  jaw,  the  onter  pair  of  under  inci- 
sors are  the  largest,  and  have  slightly  clubbed  and  bilobate  tips. 

3.  The  European  Beech  marten.        ' 

-  ■  • 

Uliistela  folna. 


Plate  IV. 

Marte!)  domestlca,  Getn.  Quad.  1531,  865,   fig.—Aldroe.  Qiad.  Oigit.   ir>4S,  JXl.—Jonst. 

Theatr.  Quad.  1755, 156. 
Martes  saxallllii,  Sehwenckfeld,  Tberiotroph.  1603,  110. 
Mttftes  In  saxis,  Agric.  Anim.  Subter.  1614,  38.  ' 

Maries  HtgAmni,  Ray,  Syn.  Quad.  1693,  200.— Kem.  Br.  An.  1828, 14. 
Maries  saxorum,  Klein,  Quad.  1751,  64. 

Miistela  foyna,  BrUs.  Quad.  1756,  246,  no.  7.— PaH.  Zoiig.  R.  A.  i.  1811,  86. 
MUHteU  folna,  WhiU,  Phil.  Trans.  Ulv.  1774,  VJ6.—Erxl.  Syst.  An.  1777,  i53,no. 5.— Sehreb. 

SKu(j.  iii.  1778,  494,  pi.  129.— Zimm.  Geogr.  Gesch.  ii.  1780,  303,  no.  198.— Om.  S.  N.  i. 

1788,  95,  no.  U.—Herm.  Obs.  Zool.  ii.—Wildung.  Tasch.  filr  1800,  —.—Beehat.  Naturg. 

i. ,  755.— D?«w.  Mamm.  1. 1820, 182 ;  Nouv.  Diet.  xix.  380 ;  Enoy.  M6th.  pi.  81,  f.  1.  - 

Fr.  Out).  Diet.  Sci.  Nat.  xiii.  254.—/*.  Oeoff.  Diet.  Class,  x.  209.— Ori/f.  An.  Kiugd. 

V.  1887, 193,  no.  350.— J«n.  Br.  Vert.  1835, 11.— Selys-L.  ^n.  Belg.  i.  1842,  9.— Keys,  ct 

BUM.  Wirb.  Eur.  1840,  6T.—Sokim,  Syn.  Mamm.  i.  1844,  336.— fitoinv.  Compt.  Rend. 

xiv.  1842,  210  seq.  pl».— Witift.  Odont.  33,  pi.  12,  f.  3 ;  Sflug.  1855,  ^^i.—Henlel,  Arch. 

Naturg.  xix.  1853,  n.— Power,  Ann.   Mag.  N.  H.  2(1  ser.  xx.  1857,  4X0.— Brandt, 

Bemerk.  Wirb.  Eur.  N.  E.  Russl. ,  24.-B«a«.  Wirb.  Deutsehl.  1857,  817,  f.  123.— 

Jiiekel,  Zool.  Gart.  xiv.  1873,  437  (albino). 
Tlverra  folna,  Shau\  Gen.  Zool.  i.  1800,  409. 


78 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MU8TELID.E. 


MHrtes  rotna,  Bell,  Brit.  Quad.  1837,  1G7 :  2d  ed.  1874,  WS.—Oray,  List  Mamm.  Br.  Masv 
1M3,  63;  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 108;  Cat.  Cam.  Br.  Mus.  1869,  86.— Gerr.  Cat.  Bones  Br.  Mus. 
1863,  yi. 

MosteU  martes  var.  folna,  L.  S.  X.  i.  17C6,  67. 

Ma8t«la|fol8Da,  Ohatin,  Ana.  Soi.  Nat.  Stb  ser.  xix.  1874,  97  (anat.). 

Foulne,  Brist.  op.  loe.  cit.—Bomare,  Diet.  d'H.  N.  ii.  1768,  232.— Bu/.  Hist.  Nat.  vii.  161.— 
Out).  R.  A.  1. 149.— JVencft.  .       ,....,.  ..„, 

FolBa<  Seatag.  Qnad.  ii.  pi.  6S.— Italian. 

Htelnmarder,  Hall.  Xatnrg.  Vierf.  Th.  1757,  459 —German. 

Nteinmarder  oder  Buchmariier«  Meyer,  Yorstell.  Thiere,  pi.  4.— German. 

Hauiwarder,  Mart  Bnff.  Vierf.  Tb,  147,  pi.  61  a.—Schr.  Fn.  Boic.  i.  no.  9.— Ger.nan. 

Martin,  Penn.  Syn.  Quad.  1771,  215,  no.  154 ;  Br.  Zuiil.  38.  (House,  Stone,  and  Beech  Mar- 
ten, Martem,  Marteron,  Martlett.) 

Fulna,  Spanish. 

The  Beech  or  Stone  Marten,  which  aeema  to  ba  well  established  as  a  species, 
may  nsaally  be  distinguished  from  the  Pine  Marten  by  the  pure  white  throat 
and  some  other  external  features,  as  well  as  by  some  difference  in  habits. 
But  stronger  characters  are  found  in  the  skull  and  teeth.  Some  differences 
in  the  proportions  of  the  skull  are  obvious,  and  sufficient  to  confer  a  recog- 
nizably different  physiognomy  ;  the  rostral  part  of  the  skull  is  much  shorter. 
The  frontal  profile  above  is  more  sloping ;  the  zygomatic  width  is  relatively 
greater.  The  zygoma  is  regularly  arched  throughout,  instead  of  rising  ab- 
ruptly behind  and  then  sloping  down  gradually  forward.  The  anterior  root 
of  the  zygoma,  owing  to  the  shortness  of  the  muzzle,  is  nearly  half-way 
from  the  supraorbital  process  to  the  end  of  the  skull ;  it  is  much  further 
back  in  If.  martea.  The  palate  is  much  shorter  aud  broader  for  its  length. 
The  back  upper  molar  is  very  notably  less  massive ;  its  inner  moiety  is  but 
little  larger  than  the  outer  :  the  latter  is  nicked  on  the  outer  border,  whereas 
in  M.  martea  the  inner  moiety  of  the  same  is  neariy  cwice  as  large  as  the  outer, 
and  the  border  of  the  latter  is  strongly  convex.  In  M.foina,  the  inner  anterior 
fang  of  the  last  premolar  is  very  small  aud  oblique ;  in  M.  martea,  it  is  much 
larger  and  projects  inward  at  a  right  angle.  The  next  premolar  is  appreciably 
smaller  than  the  same  tooth  in  M.  martes.  These  dental  peculiarities,  taken 
from  specimens  before  me,  are  confirmatory  of  Blasius'  diagnosis.  The  skulls 
are  3.25  or  less  in  total  length  by  about  1.90  in  greatest  width ;  those  of  if. 
martta  are  3.50  or  more  in  leugth,  with  a  width  scarcely  greater  than  in 
M.  martea.  It  seems  a  slight  difference  in  the  tigures,  but  the  resulting  mod- 
ification in  shape  is  decided.  Similarly,  the  palate  of  M.foina  is  about  1.40 
in  length  by  0.90  in  greatest  width  inside  the  teeth ;  that  of  M.  martea  is 
1.70  in  length,  with  no  greater  width.  As  a  practical  means  of  appreciating 
these  differences,  let  one  take  the  jaw  of  M.  martea,  and  try  to  fit  it  to  a 
skull  of  M.  foina,  or  conversely.  Cautious  and  accurate  observers,  like  Dau- 
benton  and  Bell,  have  recorded  vheir  doubts  of  the  specific  distinctness  of 
the  two  forms;  but  Bell,  at  least,  has  found  reason  to  change  his  opinion, 
while  the  views  of  many  equally  good  judges  are  concurrent  with  thosejhere 
adopted. 


ASIATIC   SABLE,  MISTELA    ZIBELUNA. 


1\) 


3.  The  Asiatic  liable. 

ainstela  slbelllna. 

MuSileU  SObella,  Oesn.  Quad.  1551,  869.—Rzacz.  Anct.  Folon.  173C,  317. 

MUHtela  zobela,  Forer,  AUg.  Thierb.  Gesner,  1609,  347. 

Mnstela  Zibellln*,  Aldrov.  Quad.  Digit.  1645,  335.— CAarfet.  Esercit.  1677,  90.— Ray,  Syn. 

Qasd.  16U3.  201.— Xtnn.  S.  X.  2d  ed.  1740,  44 ;  Ot.n  ed.  1748, 5,  no.  1.— Klein,  Quad.  1751, 

64 Jonst.  Theatr.  Qoad.  1755,  156.— Linn.  S.  N.  lOtb  ed.  1758,  46,  no.  8;  ISth  ed. 

1766,  68,  no.  9.— J.  O.  Otn.  N.  C.  Petrop.  v.  338,  pi.  6 Erxl.  Syst  An.  1777,  467,  no. 

d.-Schreb.  Sang,  iii,  1778,  478,  pi.  136.-^imm.  Geogr.  Gescb.  ii.  1780,  303,  no.  196.— 

Pall.  Spio.  Zool.  xiT.  1780,  54,  pi.  3,  f.  3;  Zoog.  E.  A.  i.  180,  83,  pi.  6.—Turi.  S.  S.  i. 

1806,  59.— 6m.  S.  N.  i.  1788,  96,  no.  9.— ifUII.  Rnss.  Gesch.  iii.  495.— Deem.  Mamm.  i. 

1820,  182,  no.  383;  Noav.  Diet.  xix.  382;  Enoy.  H6tb.  pi.  83.— JV.  Cue.  Diet.  SoL  Nat. 

xxix.  1823,  255.— /«.  Qeoff.  Diet.  Class,  x.  210.— (?rt/.  An.  Kingd.  y.  1897, 124,  no.  351.— 

Leu.  Man.  1827, 148.— Fi$eh.  Syn.  1839,  216.— Btoind.  Compt.  Rend.  xlv.  1848,  210  seq. 

plB.—Sehim,  Syn.  Mam.  i.  1844,  336.— Gieb.  SSag.  1855,  776.— Brandt,  Bemerk.  Wirb. 

N.  E.  Knsal.  il.—Midd.  Sibir.  Saug.  <;e,  pi.  i.—Sckreiusk,  Reise  Amarl. ,  27. 

Mugtela  martes  Elbelllna,  Brits.  Qnad.  1756,  248,  no.  9.  . 

Viverra  zlbelllna,  Shaw,  Gen.  Zool.  i.  1800, 411. 

Martes  Zibelllna,  Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 105  {"Muatela"  lapgu) ;  Cat.  Cam.  Br.  Mns.  1869, 83. 

Mart«g  zibelltna  var.  asiatlea,  Brandt,  Beit.  Kennt.  SSag.  Rassl.  1855,  6,  pll.  i,  ii,  and  pi. 

iii,  f.  7, 8, 9  (many  "subvarieties"  named). 
Zobela,  .ilj/ric.  Anim.  Sabter.  16U\  39. 
8ebeillna,  Schef,  Lappon.  1673, 34a 
Zobel,  Strahlenb.  Eur.  n.  Asia,  1730, 430 J.  O.  Om.  Reise,  i.  1751,  Zdl.—Hall.  Xaturg.  Vierf. 

Thiere,  1757, 459.— JftiM.  Natura.  1773, 272.— 5«eK.  Kamtscht.  1774, 119.— Martens,  Zool. 

Gart.  xi,  1870, 254  (pbilological). 
Sabeldler,  Houtt.  Nat  Hist.  Dieren,  ii.  1761, 9H.—Ihttch. 
ZIbeline,  Bnflf.  Hist  Nat  xiiL  1765, 309.— Somare,  Diet  iv.  1768, 650.— French. 
Gebelllna,  Cevelllna,  <S!pa/twh.— Zibellino,  Kalian.— Sabbel,  Swedish.— ^bol,  Polish,  Rus- 
sian. 
Sable,  Penn.  Syn.  Quad.  1771,  217,  no.  156  j  Hist  Qnad.  328,  no.  201;  Aret.  Zool.  i.  1784,  79,  no. 

30.    {Saphilinas  Pelles,  sable  skins,  is  found  in  Jornandes;  Zombolines  occurs  in 

Marco  Polo —  Webster . ) 

Lack  of  specimens  of  this  form  uDfortiinately  prevents  me  from  bringing 
it  into  the  discussion  upon  any  original  investigations ;  the  views  of  authors 
are  discussed  beyond.  I  have,  however,  carefully  examined  both  skins 
and  skalls  of  31.  martes,  foina,  and  americana.  Such  is  the  variability 
of  the  pelage,  that  probably  no  decisive  indications  can  be  gathered  from 
comparisons  of  the  skins,  however  widely  these  may  differ  in  extreme  cases^ 
The  skulls  and  teeth  afford  the  readiest  means  of  separating  these  three 
closely-allied  forms. 

The  following  measurements  of  three  skulls,  selected  as  fairly  expressing 
averages  of  M.  martes,  foina,  and  americana  respectively,  will  show  in 
what  the  cranial  differences  consist.  The  skull  of  M.  foina  differs  more 
from  those  of  both  M.  martes  and  M.  americana  than  these  latter  do  from 
each  other ;  but  these  latter  are  readily  distinguished  by  their  dental 
characters. 


;:■!': 


Ii!f!.v 


lls-j 


80  NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 

Meaiurementa  of  akiilh  of  MM.  foina,  martes,  and  Americana. 


Totallength 

Greatest  width 

Least  width  (exclusive  of  muzzle) 

Distance  between  orbits 

Upper  incisors  from  front  hinder  margin 
of  palate 

■Upper  molars  and  premolars,  length  taken 
together 

Lower  jaw,  length,  from  apex  of  symphy- 
sis to  back  of  condyle    ' .'. . 

Lower  jaw,  height  angle  to  top  of  coro- 
noid 

Front  border  of  orbit,  end  of  intermax- 
illary  

Width  of  muzzle  behind  canines 

Greatest  length  of  zygoma 

Greatest  width  of  palate  insi  le  teeth 

Width  across  supraorbital  proi^CoobS  .   . . . 

Greatest  length  (longitudinal)  of  back 
upper  molar 

Width  of  cranium  proper 


M.  foina 
(Germany). 


Inches. 
3.25 
1.8S 
0.80 
0.65 

1.55 

0.95 

2.05 

0.90 

0.95 
0.68 
1.50 
0.85 
l.dO 

0.23 
1.40 


M.  martes 
(Sweden), 


M.  ameticana 
(Alaska). 


Inchet. 
3.50 
1.95 
0.80 
0.85 

1.75 

1.10 

2.40 

1.00 

1.10 
0.70 
1.65 
0.90 
0.95 


Inchet. 
3.fi0 
1.85 
0.70 
0.80 

1.75 

1.10 

2.40 

1.10 

1.10 
0.70 
1.70 
0.89 
0.90 

0.20 
1.40 


The  indications  afforded  by  the  foregoing  measurements,  together  with 
some  other  cranial  and  dental  characters,  may  be  summed  in  the  following 
diagnostic  paragraphs.  It  will  be  seen  that  most  of  the  cranial  points  brought 
out  by  Prof.  Baird  (oj).  cit.  p.  155)  are  substantiated,  but  it  must  be  borne 
in  mind  that  they  are  matters  of  degree,  which  may  not  always  hold,  except 
of  averages.  The  remarkable  ditlerence  iu  the  back  upper  molar,  as  insisted 
upon  by  Gray,  is  the  principal  character  upon  which  to  rely  between  morses 

and  americatia. 

Comparative  diagnosen. 

M.  martes. — Inner  moiety  of  back  upper  molar  one-third  longer  thau  outer 
moiety,  and  altogether  about  twice  as  large  (coincidently  with  which  the 
entire  dentelure  of  martes  is  stronger  than  in  the  other  two  forms,  though 
diflferenc38  in  particular  teeth  are  not  readily  expressed) ;  outer  border  of 
outer  moiety  regularly  strongly  convex.  Fang  of  last  upper  premolar  large, 
transverse.  Penultimate  under  molar  with  a  cusp  well  developed  at  the 
|)ostero-internal  base  of  the  main  cusp.  Sides  of  muzzle  nearly  parallel. 
■Supraorbital  processes  midway  between  greatest  constriction  of  cranium  and 
anterior  root  of  zygoma ;  the  constriction  moderate.  Zygomatic  width  more 
than  half  total  length  of  skull. 

M,  americana. — Inner  moiety  of  back  upper  m'>lar  scarcely  longer  or  larger 
than  the  outer  [in  25  skulls  examined]  ;  outer  border  of  outer  moiety  double- 
convex,  t.  e.,  with  an  emargination.  Fang  of  last  premolar  small,  oblique. 
Penultimate  under  molar  with  merely  a  slight  heel  at  base  inside  of  the  main 
cusp.  Bides  of  mnzzlo  sensibly  tapering.  Supraorbital  processes  nearer  point 
of  greatest  constriction  than  anterior  root  of  zygoma ;  constriction  great. 
Zygomatic  width  about  half  total  length  of  skull. 

M.  foina. — Molar  and  last  upper  premolar  as  in  americana ;  penultimate 
lower  molar  with  prominent  supplementary  cusp  as  in  martes.  Sides  of  muz- 
zle sensibly  tapering.  Supraorbital  processes  much  nearer  point  of  greatest 
constriction  than  anterior  root  of  zygoma ;  constrictiou  slight.  Zygomatic 
■width  much  more  than  half  total  length  of  skull. 


SYNONYMY    OF    MUSTELA    AMERICANA. 


m 


The  American  Unfile  or  Harten. 


iWiiNteIn  nmerfcnnn. 

Plate  V. 

Mustela  martes,  Forst.  Phil.  Trans.  Ixii.  1772,  372.— 7.  Sab.  Frankl.  Jonrn.  1893,051.— ffarl. 
Fn.  Araer.  1885,  67  (qnotes  a  "  Mustela  vison  var.")—  Warden,  Hist.  IT.  8.  v.  1819,  G13.— 
Kich.  F.  B.  A.  i.  1829,  51,  no.  n.—Gapp.  Zoiil.  Jonrn.  t,  1830,  303.— Godm.  Am.  N.|H. 
i.  ie.U,  WO.— Emmons,  Rep.  Qnad.  Mass.  1840, 40.— D«  K.  N.  Y.  Zool.  1. 1843,  32,  pi.  11, 
f.  3,  pi.  19.  f.  2  (skull).— 4 ud.  <£  Bach.  Q.  X.  A.  iii.  1853,  176,  pi.  138.- Iftomp*.  N.IH. 
Termont,  1653,  3a.—Billingi,  Canad.  Xat.  and  Geol.  ii.  1857,  463.— AUen,  Bnll.  M.  C. 
Z.  i.  1870, 161  (critical). -£«nn.  Tr.  111.  State  Agric.  Soc.  for  1853-54, 1855,  578.— AH. 
Bail.  Ess.  Inst.  vl.  1874,  54,  59  (Colorado  and  Wyoming).- HaiZ,  Canad.  Nat.  and 
Geol.  vi.  1661,  395. 

Mlistela  smerlcail*,  Turton,  ed.  L.  S.  N.  i.  18*i6,  60— lid.  M.  X.  A.  1857,  152,  pL  36,  f.  3  (skull), 
pi.  37,  f.  1  (sknll).— .Veic6.  P.  R.  R.  Rep.  vi.  If57,  il.-Kneel.  Proo.  Bost.  Soc.  N.  H.  vi 
1858,  418.— Ooop.  <C  Suett.  N.  H.  W.  T.  18fiO,  !I9.— iJo»«,  Canad.  Xat.  vi.  1861, 35.— Gilpin, 

Tr.  Nov.  Scot.  Inat.  ii.  1870,  10,  69.— Ames,  Bull.  Minn.  Acad.  Xat.  Sot.  1674,  69 

Coue.'i  c£  rorrmc,  Zool.  Expl.  W.  100  Merid.  v.  1875, 61  (Taos,  X.  Td.).— Allen,  Bull.  U.  S. 
Geol.  Surv.  vol.  il.  no.  4, 1876,  328  (skull). 

Martm  amerlcann,  Oray,  P.  Z.  S.  1665, 106;  Cat.  Cam.  Br.  Mua.  1869, 84. 

Maries  americana  vara,  abietinoldes,  baro,  et  leuropus,  Oray,  u.  cc. 

Mnstela  zibelllna  var.  americana,  Brandt,  Beit  Siiag.  Russl.  1855, 16,  pi.  3,  f.  10  (critical). 

Mustela  Zibeiltna,  Oodrn.  Am.  Nat.  Hist.  i.  1631,308  (refers  to  true  Sable,  but  the  Amer- 
ican speciea  described). 

.Muslela  VUlpina,  Ra/.  Am.  J.  Sc.  i.  1819,  82 ;  Phil.  ilag.  1819,  411 ;  Isis,  1834,  453  (Upper 
Missouri  River)  (tail  whitie  at  end).— FiVft.  Sj'u.  1829,  215.  . 

Mustela  (Hnrtes)  vuiplna, /ScAtnz,  Syn.  Mamm.  i.  1644, 337. 

MuStelalcuCOpuSjiTuW.  Beit.  1820, 74.— Fk^c/i.  Syn.  1829,216.  •  ' 

Mustela  (Martes)  leucopus,  Schinz,  Syn.  Mnunu.  i.  1844, 337. 

MartfS  leucopus,  Oray,  List  Mamm.  Br.  Mus.  1843,  6X—tierr.  Cat.  Bones  Br.  Mus.  1863, 91. 

MllStela  leucopus,  Qrif.  Cuv.  R.  A.  v.  1827, 126,  no.  357. 

.Mustcia  huro,  F.  Cuv.  Diet  Sci.  Xat.  xxix.  1823,  2,".6;  Snppl.  Buff.  i.  1831,  321.— Jo.  Geoff, 
Diet.  Class.  X.  211.— Fwcft.  Syn.  1829, 217. 

MU8tela  (Martes)  huro,  .Se^inz,  Syn.  Manim.  i.  1844,  .337. 

Mustela  marllnus.Anw*,  Bnll.  Minn.  Acad,  Xat.  Sci.  1874, 60. 

Martin  or  Marten,  Pine  Marten,  American  Sable,  of  American  writers. 

Wawpeestau,  Wawbeechlns,  Wappanvw,  Indian  (Richardson).  . 

Description  and  disctiHsion  of  the  species.* 

This  animal  is  about  the  size  of  a  large  House  Gat,  though 
standing  much  lower  on  account  of  the  shortness  of  the  legs. 
The  length  of  the  head  and  body  is  about  a  foot  and  a  half, 
more  or  less ;  the  tail  with  the  bairs  is  a  foot  long  or  less ;  the 
tail-vertebr{B  are  less  than  half  as  long  as  the  head  and  body. 
The  tail  is  very  full  and  bushy,  particularly  toward  the  end, 
the  reverse  of  the  tapering  pointed  shape  which  obtains  in  if. 
pennanti.  The  longer  hairs  of  the  tail  at  and  near  the  end 
measure  aboat  3  inches.  The  head  is  quite  broadly  triangular, 
or  rather  conical,  with  the  contraction  of  the  muzzle  beginning. 

*  Prepared  from  nutnerous  specimens  in  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 
6m 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


I  :;i:i 


K 


;v  i^'i 


m 


at  the  site  of  the  eyes.  These  are  oblique,  and  situated  about 
over  the  angle  of  the  mouth,  midway  between  the  snout  and 
the  ears.  The  latter  are  quite  high,  somewhat  pointed,  though 
obtusely  so,  but  not  regularly  orbicular  as  in  M.pennanti;  their 
height  above  the  notch  is  rather  greater  than  their  width  at  base; 
they  are  closely  hairy  ou  both  sides.  The  longest  whiskers 
reach  to  the  back  of  the  ears ;  there  are  other  bristles  over  the 
eyes,  on  the  cheeks,  and  chin.  The  end  of  the  snout  is  defi- 
nitely naked  in  T-shaped  area,  as  usual  in  this  genus.  The 
liuibs  are  short  and  stout ;  the  feet  appear  small  in  comparison 
with  the  calibre  of  the  legs.  The  outstretched  hind  legs  reach 
more  than  half- way  to  the  end  of  the  tail.  The  soles  are  ordi- 
narily densely  furred,  only  the  ends  of  the  pale-colored  claws 
appearing.  But  in  the  frequent  specimens  observed  with  scant- 
haired  soles,  the  tubercles  may  be  distinctly  seen,  without  part- 
ing the  fur ;  they  have  the  ordiuary  disposition. 

The  pelage  is  long  and  extremely  soft  and  full.  It  consists 
of  three  kinds  of  fur.  The  first  is  very  short,  soft,  and  wool- 
like, immediately  iuvesting  the  skin,  as  may  be  seen  upon  pluck- 
ing away  both  kinds  of  the  longer  hairs.  The  second  is  soft 
and  kinky,  like  the  first,  but  very  much  longer,  coming  to  the 
general  surface  of  the  pelt.  The  third  is  the  fewer,  still  longer, 
glossy  hairs,  bristly  to  the  roots. 

It  is  almost  impossible  to  describe  the  colors  of  the  Pine 
Marten,  except  in  general  terms,  without  going  into  the  de- 
tails of  the  endless  diversities  occasioned  by  age,  sex,  season, 
or  other  incidents.  The  animal  is  "  brown",  of  a  shade  from 
orange  or  tawny  to  quite  blackish ;  the  tail  and  feet  are  ordi- 
narily the  darkest ;  the  head  lightest,  often  quite  whitish ;  the 
ears  are  usually  rimmed  with  whitish ;  on  the  throat,  there  is 
usually  a  large  tawny-yellowish  or  orange-brown  patch,  from 
the  chin  to  the  fore  legs,  sometimes  entire,  sometimes  broken 
into  a  number  of  smaller,  irregular  blotches,  sometimes  want- 
ing, sometimes  prolonged  on  the  whole  under  surface,  when 
the  animal  is  bicolor,  like  a  Stoat  in  summer.  The  general 
"  brown "  has  a  grayish  cast,  as  far  as  the  under  fur  is  con- 
cerned, and  is  overlaid  with  rich  lustrous  blackish-brown  in 
places  where  the  long  bristly  hairs  prevail.  The  claws  are 
whitish;  the  naked  nose-pad  and  whiskers  are  black.  The 
tail  occasionally  shows  interspersed  white  hairs,  or  a  white  tip. 

Upon  this  subject,  I  cannot  do  better  than  quote  again  from 


DESCRIPTION   OF   MUSTELA   AMERICANA. 


83 


the  article  of  Mr.  B.  R.  Ross,  who  describes  the  Marten  from 
long  experience  of  its  variations : — 

"  The  winter  fur  of  this  species  is  full  and  soft,  about  an 
inch  and  a  half  deep,  with  a  number  of  coiirse  black  hairs 
interspersed.  The  tail  is  densely  covered  with  two  kinds  of 
hair,  similar  to  those  of  the  back  but  coarser.  The  hairs  on 
the  top  are  longest,  measuring  2^  inches,  and  giving  the  end  a 
very  bushy  appearance.  The  fur  is  in  fullcoat  from  about  the 
end  of  October  until  the  beginning  of  May,  according  to  locality. 
When  in  such  condition  the  cuticle  [sic,  meaning  skin  viewed 
from  inside]  is  white,  clean,  and  very  thin.  From  the  latter  of 
these  dates  the  skin  acquires  a  darker  hue,  which  increases 
until  the  hair  is  renewed,  and  then  gradually  lightens  until  the 
approach  of  winter,  the  fur  remaining  good  for  some  time 
before  and  after  these  changes.  When  casting  its  hair  the 
animal  has  far  from  a  pleasing  appearance,  as  the  under  fur 
falls  off  leaving  a  shabby  covering  of  the  long  coarser  hairs, 
which  have  then  assumed  a  rusty  tint.  The  tail  changes  later 
than  any  other  part,  and  is  still  bushy  in  some  miserable  look- 
ing summer  specimens  now  lying  before  me.  After  the  fall 
of  these  long  hairs,  and  towards  the  end  of  summer,  a  fine 
short  fur  pushes  up.  When  in  this  state  the  pelage  is  very 
pretty  and  bears  a  strong  resemblance  to  a  dark  mink  in  its 
winter  coat.  It  gradually  lengthens  and  thickens  as  winter 
approaches,  and  may  be  considered  prime  after  the  first  fall  of 
snow. 

"  It  is  difficult  to  describe  the  color  of  the  martin  fur  accu- 
rately. In  a  large  heap  of  skins  (upwards  of  fifty)  which  I 
have  just  examined  minutely  there  exists  a  great  variety  of 
shades  darkening  from  the  rarer  of  yellowish-white  and  bright 
orange,  into  various  shades,  of  orange  brown,  some  of  which 
are  very  dark.  However,  the  general  tint  may  with  propriety 
be  termed  an  orange  brown,  considerably  clouded  with  black 
on  the  back  and  belly,  and  exhibiting  on  the  flanks  and  throat 
more  of  an  orange  tint.  The  legs  and  paws  as  well  as  the  top 
of  the  tail  are  nearly  pure  black.  The  claws  are  white  and 
sharp.  The  ears  are  invariably  edged  with  a  yellowish  white, 
and  the  cheeks  are  generally  of  the  same  hue.  The  forehead 
is  of  a  light  brownish  gray,  darkening  tdwards  the  nose,  but 
in  some  specimens  it  is  nearly  as  dark  as  the  body.  The 
yellowish  marking  under  the  throat,  (considered  as  a  specific 
distinction  of  the  pine  martins)  is  in  some  well  defined  and  of 


84 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID.E. 


m  :  il; 


K?''t''  ■ 


m 


pi  I 


an  orauge  tint,  while  in  others  it  ia  almost  perfectly  white.  It 
also  varies  much  in  extent,  reaching  to  the  fore  legs  on  some 
occasions.  At  other  times  it  consists  merely  of  a  few  spots, 
while  in  a  third  of  the  specimens  under  consideration  it  is 
entirely  wantiny. 

"After  minutely  comparing  these  skins  with  Prof.  Baird's 
and  Dr.  Brandt's  description  of  the  martins,  and  the  latter 
gentleman's  paper  on  the  sables,  I  find  that  the  M.  Americana 
of  this  district  agrees  in  general  more  closely  with  the  latter, 
and  am  therefore  disposed  to  coincide  with  that  gentleman  in 
his  opinion  that  they  are  only  varieties.  The  martins  of  this 
district  bear  a  greater  resemblance  to  the  sables  of  Eastern 
Siberia  than  to  the  martins  of  Europe,  holding,  as  it  may  be 
with  propriety  said,  an  intermediate  position.  I  am  also  in- 
clined to  believe  that  the  various  colors  found  in  these  regions 
are  simply  varieties  of  the  same  species,  and  that  the  diftier- 
ences  if  any,  seen  in  the  Zib.  [sic,  lege  sibelWm]  are  merely 
continental.  In  summer,  when  the  long  hairs  have  fallen  off, 
the  pelage  of  this  animal  is  darker  than  in  winter.  The  fore- 
head changes  greatly,  becoming  as  deeply  colored  as  any  other 
part  of  the  body,  which  is  of  an  exceedingly  dark  brown  tint 
on  the  back,  belly  and  legs.  The  yellow  throat-markings  are 
much  more  distinct  at  this  season,  but  vary  much  both  in  color 
and  extent,  though  in  only  one  summer  skin  are  they  abso- 
lutely wanting.  The  white  edging  on  and  around  the  ears  still 
remains,  but  the  cheeks  assume  a  grayer  tint.  The  tail  is  not 
so  full,  but  from  the  high  North  latitude  (the  Arctic  coast) 
from  which  these  skins  were  procured  it  is  still  rather  bushy. 
One  of  the  specimens  has  the  dark  hairs  laid  on  in  thin  longi- 
tudinal stripes,  causing  a  curious  appearance." 

The  last  paragraph  brings  us  directly  to  the  cousideratiou 
of  the  position  which  the  American  Marten  holds  among  its 
congeners.  Upon  this  vexed  question  it  is  incumbent  upon 
me  to  review  the  testimony  for  and  against  the  specific  dis- 
tinction of  this  animal  from  the  Old  World  Pine  Marten  and 
Sable,  and  to  state  clearly  the  grounds  upon  which  my  own 
conclusions  rest.  Passing  over  some  earlier  accounts,  which, 
owing  to  inadequacy  or  lack  of  point,  are  entirely  superseded 
by  later  and  better  investigations,  we  may  examine  four  au- 
thors who  have  made  the  subject  a  matter  oi  special  examina- 
tion, namely,  Gray,  Brandt,  Baird,  and  Allen. 

In  the  first  place,  M.  foina  may  be  thrown  entirely  out  of 


RELATIONSHIPS    OF   MU8TELA    AMERICANA. 


85 


the  questiou.  It  is  dow  almost  universally  admitted  to  be  a 
distinct  species,  even  by  the  most  cautious  and  conservative 
writers,  some  among  whom,  like  Bell,  were  formerly  inclined 
to  the  contrary  opinion.  Some  external  characters,  more  or 
less  obvious  and  constant,  like  the  white  gular  patch,  are 
correlated  with  perfectly  definite  and  satisfactory  cranial  and 
dental  peculiarities,  as  elsewhere  detailed  in  this  paper. 

In  discussing  the  European  and  American  Pine  Martens,  to 
which  I  will  now  direct  attention,  Gray,  Brandt,  and  Baird 
were  agreed  upon  specific  distinction.  Allen  dissented  from  such 
view,  reviving  the  case  as  presented  by  Richardson,  Audubon, 
and  others.  Dr.  Gray  made  the  separation  entirely  upon  the 
character  of  the  posterior  upper  molar.  Dr.  Brandt  elaborately 
detailed  external  characters  of  size,  proportion,  color,  and  char- 
acter of  pelage.  Baird  adduced  certain  cranial  and  dental  as 
well  as  external  features.  Allen  confined  himself  to  ezternal 
points.  Finding  that  the  accounts  of  authors  are  unsatisfac- 
tory or  conflicting  in  these  respects  (as  may  be  truly  said  to  be 
the  case),  observing  the  great  admitted  range  of  variation,  and 
not  examining  the  skulls  and  teeth,  he  disallowed  specific  valid- 
ity. I  myself,  with  ample  material  before  me,  do  not  find  suffi- 
cient grotinds  derived  from  examination  of  the  skins  alone  for 
admitting  the  specific  distinction  of  M.  americana  and  martes 
(but  it  is  otherwise  when  the  skull  and  teeth  are  considered). 
Some  of  the  alleged  distinctions  obviously  fail.  Thus,  there  is 
no  difference  in  the  furring  of  the  soles  (cf.  Baird,  oj).  cu.  p. 
154) ;  in  the  animal  from  either  country,  the  pads  may  be  ex- 
posed or  concealed  according  to  season  or  locality.  Many  of 
the  minute  points  of  coloration  adduced  by  Brandt  cannot  be 
verified,  and,  indeed,  are  negatived  in  the  examination  of  suffi- 
cient series  of  specimens.  Prof.  Baird  has,  I  think,  most  perti- 
nently summed  the  case  in  the  following  terms  {I.  c): — "The 
Swedish  specimens  are  much  larger,  although  the  skulls  appear 
to  indicate  the  same  age.  The  fur  is  harsher  and  coarser,  and 
the  prevailing  tints  paler ;  the  tail  and  feet  are  not  very  dark 
brown,  instead  of  being  almost  black.  The  color  of  the  fur  at 
base  lis  lighter.  The  throat-patch  does  not  touch  the  fore  legs. 
The  tails  of  the  European  specimens  appear  longer  in  propor- 
tion to  the  boily  .  .  .  .  "  This  greater  length  of  the  tail  is 
also  attested  by  Brandt,  who  says  that  the  tail-vertebife  in  M. 
martes  equal  one  half  or  more  of  the  length  of  head  and 
body,  and  extend  nearly  one-third  beyond  the  outstretched 


'<  J 


86 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


hind  legs.  This  distinction  is  confirmed,  as  an  average  char- 
acter, by  the  specimens  before  me,  thongh,  like  other  matters 
of  mere  degree,  it  is  subject  to  some  uncertainty  of  determina- 
tion. I  similarly  endorse,  on  the  whole,  a  lighter,  grayer,  more 
uniform  coloration  of  .V.  martes,  although  in  the  interminable 
variations  of  M.  amcrivana  probably  no  infallible  distinctions 
can  be  substantiated.  But  all  these  points  have  a  certain  value 
when  correlated,  as  they  should  be,  with  the  cranial  and  dental 
peculiarities.  These  are  decided,  and,  I  think,  not  open  to 
reasonable  question  as  atfording  good  specific  characters. 
Baird  has  tabulated  most  of  them,  and  the  specimens  I  have 
examined  confirm  nearly  all  the  distinctions  he  has  sought  to 
establish.  While  he  has  not,  as  asserted  by  Gray,  overlooked 
certain  dental  peculiarities,  he  has  perhaps  not  laid  the  stress 
upon  them  which  is  warranted.  Gray  rests  secure,  I  think,  in 
basing  the  primary  distinction  upon  the  remarkable  features 
presented  by  the  tick  upper  molar.  We  may  bring  the  points 
to  mind  by  saying  that  in  M.  martes  we  find  an  hourglass- 
shaped  tooth  with  one  bulb  (the  inner)  very  much  larger  than 
the  other ;  while  in  M,  americctna  there  is  less  median  constric- 
tion, nearly  an  equality  in  size  of  the  two  bulbs,  and  an  emar- 
giuate  instead  of  simply  convex  exterior  contour  of  the  outer 
bulb.  There  are  coordinated  dental  characters :  the  last  upper 
premolar  in  M.  martes  has  a  strong,  directly  transverse.  Inner 
fang;  t'uv.  same  in  M.  amcricana  is  smaller  and  oblique.  The 
penultimate  lower  molar  in  M.  martes  develops  a  compara- 
tively strong  supplementary  cusp  at  the  base  on  the  inner  side 
of  the  main  cusp,  represented  in  M.  americana  merely  by  a 
slight  heel.  It  is  to  these  dental  characters  that  I  primarily 
refer  in  predicating,  as  I  do,  specific  validity  of  ilf.  americana. 
I  coordinate  them  with  the  cranial  characters  elsewhere  de- 
tailed, and  supplement  them  with  the  less  essential  external 
features  already  noted,  in  coming  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
American  is  not  the  Pine  Marten  of  Europe. 

The  question  then  narrows  to  the  characters  cf  ilf.  amcricana 
in  comparison  with  those  of  M.  zibellina,  the  true  "Eussian" 
Sable.  Gray  separate?  .j  two  upon  dental  peculiarities;  the 
Sable  having,  according  to  his  determination,  the  same  dental 
characters  as  M.  martes.  I  regret  that  I  have  not  been  able  to 
verify  this.  If  it  indeed  holds,  it  would  be  sufficient  to  settle 
the  issue  between  M.  zibellina  and  M.  americana,  whatever 
might  then  become  of  the  ascribed  and  supposed  differences 


RELATIONSHIPS    OP   MUSTELA    AMERICANA. 


87 


between  the  former  of  these  and  ^1/.  martes.  Viewing  the  un- 
questionably close  relations  between  the  American  and  Asiatic 
Sables,  it  becomes  very  desirable  to  clear  up  this  point.  With- 
out reference  to  dental  or  cranial  characters,  Baird  says  that 
''the' true  Sable  is  readily  distinguishable  by  the  short  tail, 
which  does  not  extend  as  far  as  the  end  of  the  outstretched 
hind  feet,  and  by  the  bfills  of  the  toes  covered  entirely  with 
woolly  fur  ".  The  latter  distinction  does  not  hold,  as  we  have 
seen;  the  former  is  disallowed  by  Brandt,  who  finds  that  in 
both  the  Asiatic  and  American  Sable  the  tail  has  much  the 
same  length,  being,  without  the  hairs,  about  one-third  the  body, 
and  not  reaching  as  far  as  the  outstretched  hind  feet.  Certain 
supposed  color  distinctions  which  Brandt  found  in  the  Ameri- 
can specimens  he  examined  are  clearly  negatived  by  the  more 
extensive  series  before  me.  He,  however,  finds  in  the  Ameri- 
can animal  a  pelage  less  dense  and  lighter-colored,  with  a  less 
bushy  tail,  and,  upon  such  considerations,  is  induced  to  regard 
it  rather  as  a  variety  of  the  zihellina  than  as  a  distinct  species 
or  as  the  Pine  Marten  of  Europe.  The  very  close  relationships 
of  the  American  and  Asiatic  Sables  are  unquestionable.  Brandt 
properly  alludes  to  intermediate  specimens  he  had  seen ;  Mr. 
Ross  reaflflrms  such  a  state  of  the  case;  in  fine,  external  char- 
acters, when  thoroughly  sifted,  are  seen  to  be  inadequate  as  a 
means  of  specific  diagnosis.  The  case  really  hinges  upon  the 
validity  of  the  dental  characters  ascribed  by  Gray,  of  which  it 
is  seen  that  Brandt  makes  no  note.  If  these  characters  hold, 
there  is  no  doubt  of  the  propriety  of  separating  M.  americana 
specifically ;  otherwise,  it  must  be  referred  to  M.  zihellina  as  a 
continental  race,  as  Brandt  has  done. 

In  the  present  state  of  the  case,  this  may  be  consideied  the 
proper  reply  to  the  often-asked  question,  have  we  the  true  Sable 
in  America  ?  The  animal  is,  to  all  external  appearance,  indis- 
tinguishable except  in  some  of  those  slight  points  of  pelage 
which,  through  the  whims  of  fashion,  affect  its  commercial 
value,  but  there  may  be  a  technical  zoological  character  of  im- 
portance in  the  teeth.         «'     ;  .'.:. 

I  will  only  add  that  I  see  nothing  tending  to  give  weight  to 
a  supposition  that  there  might  be  more  than  one  species  or  va- 
riety of  Marten  on  this  continent.  All  the  endless  diversity  in 
minor  points  which  inspection  of  large  series  reveals  comes 
clearly  within  the  range  of  individual  variability  as  a  result  of 
climate,  season,  age,  sex,  or  other  incidents. 


: 


'i  i 


r 


88  NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 

Meaauremenh  *  of  thirty-four  fresh  Mpicimeua  of  Mustula  amekicana. 


!1:' 


I 

a 


i!i'  .. 


1017 
1018 
1019 
lOiO 
lOSl 
10S9 
1033 
1035 
1043 
1046 
1649 
165e 
1651 

lefM 

16S5 
1638 
1663 
1863 
1706 
1634 
1633 
1636 
1637 
1640 
1648 
M34 
1635 
1636 
1637 
1628 
1639 
1630 
1631 
1639 


Locality. 


Ynkon  (November) 

...do do 

do  ..  (October) 

....do  ..(December) 

,  ...do do 

....do do 

....do do 

,  ...do do 

do  ..(Marcb) , 

...do do 

Peel's  River  (December) 


...do. 

do  .. 

...do  .. 

. . . do  . . 

do  .. 

do  .. 

do .. 

...do  .. 

...do  .. 

...do  .. 
do  .. 

...do  .. 

...do  .. 
— do  .. 

...do  .. 
. . . . do  . . 
— do  .. 

. . . dn  . . 
—  do  .. 

...do  .. 

...do  .. 

...do  .. 

...do.. 


.(November) 

do 

do 

.do 

.. .  (December). 

do 

do 

do 

...(November). 

do 

do 

do 

do 

. , .  (December)  . 
...(October)  ... 

..do 

..do 

..do 

.  do 

. .  do 

..do 

..do 

.do 


From  tip  of  noae 

to— 


^    I   «' 


!l.6ol3. 

il.70;3. 

11.  40  3. 

1.45,3. 
!l.  5513. 

1. 65  3. 
!l.60  3. 
|l.70i3. 

I.  5()'3. 
1.73  3. 
11.45  3. 

II.  43  3. 
11.603. 
1 1.40.'. 

1.  70  3. 

1. 43  3. 

1.  65  3. 

1.  60  3. 

1.60,3. 
!l.  60  3. 

1.60  3. 

1.40  3. 
;  1.45  2. 
11.60  3. 
;i.6.i:i. 

1.35  3. 

11.60  3. 
'l.fi0  3. 
jl.  60  3. 
11.60  3. 
11.60  3. 

'1.  tin  3. 

1.50  3. 
{1.40  3. 


18 


00  4.  40 

00i4.3U| 
6013.  80 
60'3.  43; 
6OI3.  60 
90|3.  i»5 
90';».  95 
75|3.  90 
65'3.  60 
I0|4.05i 
60':i.  50' 
fO  3.  30| 
90 :}.  85 
70|3.  45 
M  4. 10 
503.  55 
00,3.  95I 
90  3.  85! 
90  3.  90; 
Oii:i.  m| 
h5  .1.  73 
50  3.  50; 
60  A.  60t 
80  3.  >>0' 
10  4.  10| 
.-10  3.  80 
90  3.  851 
30  4.  00 
95  3.  95i 
75  3.  85! 
10  4.  OOJ 
90 :).  80! 
80  3.  85i 
70  3.  50; 


18.50 
18.75 
13.60 
16.00 
16.30 
18.23 
17.50 
19.30 
16.60 
18.70 
16.00 
16.70 
17. 75 
15.50 
18.30 
16. 30 


Tail  to 
end  of— 


a 
» 


7.60 
8.301 
8.25! 
6.30! 
7.30 
8.35! 
8.00' 
8.50 
7.10' 
7.80i 
6.50 
6.60' 
8.00i 
6.50 
7.85! 
7.15! 

17.  60i7.  20 
18. 30  8. 00! 

18.  40  7. 80i 
17.  4017.  90! 
17.  40  7.  30 

16.  OOI7.  00' 
16.501 7. 25 

17.  907.  90! 

18.  30:7.  80 
17.  00  7,  25 

17.  I0I7.40, 

18.  00'7. 15 
17. 00  7. 10 
17. 60  7.  75' 
17.  .50  7.  30 
17.  50  7.  60 
17.  70  7.  35 
15.  80  6. 90' 

1        I 


10. 00  3. 
12.00  3. 


Length 
of— 


9.85 

9.80 
10.60 
11.83 
11.00 
IS.  00 
10.40 
11.  4013. 

9.  80  3. 
10.  50  3. 
11.60  3 
10. 10|3. 

10.  60|3. 
10. 19  3. 
10. 30  3. 
liL  00l3. 

11.  30j3. 

10. 70I3. 

10.  30|3. 

9.  90|3. 

10. 0013. 

11. 1013. 

10.  8013. 
10. 35  3. 

10. 70:3 

10.  35^3. 
10. 3013. 
11. 05l3. 
11. 10  3. 

10.  70  J. 
9.  85,3 
9. 80  3. 


35' 4.  45 

40  4.30 
70  3. 59 
90  3.63 
80  3.  80 
104.30 
00  4.30 
104.40 
50  3.6.=) 
10  4. 10 
65  3.80 
80.3.80 
30  4. 30 
60  3.60  1.33 
23  4.  45  1.  63 
603.701.40 
10  4.20  1.43 


00  4.31 


10  4.25  1.50 


Ml 

'S 

» 

1.40 


1.30 
1.25 
1.20 


1.55 
1.20 
1.60 
1.30 


■| 


a  Si 

c 


1.50 


05  4. 10 

10  4.  30 
70  3.  70 
75  3. 75 
05  4. 10 
15  4. 10 
00  4.10 
00  4.00 
00  4.00 
80,4.  00 
00  4. 10 
05  4. 20 
00  4. 25 
00  4.10 
653.70 


l.35| 
1.40 
1.25| 
1.30i 
1.50 
1..53 
1.60 
l.SOl 
1.55! 
1.5.31 
I.43I 
1.601 
1.55 
1.50 
1,40! 


Fresh. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
..do. 
..do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
..do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
..do. 
..do. 
...do. 
..do. 
..do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...du. 
...do. 
...do. 
..do. 


'  A»  recorded  by  the  collectors  on  tbe  l.tbels  of  the  spectmens. 


y^f 


1 

j;;h       . 

1 

I;!! 

1 

ft 

1 

1 

The  foregoing  table  of  careful  fresh  measurements  satisfac- 
torily indicates  the  average  lUmeusious  and  range  of  variation 
of  this  species  in  the  higher  latitudes.  The  female  is  seen  to 
be  considerably  smaller  than  the  male  on  an  average,  though 
the  dimensions  of  the  sexes  inosculate.  The  range  is  from  15^ 
to  over  19  in  length  of  head  and  body,  with  an  average  near 
17J.  The  tail-vertebrte  range  from  little  over  C  to  8^,  averaging 
near  7 J.  With  the  hairs,  this  member  ranges  from  9J  to  12 
inches,  being  generally  about  11  inches,  ijar  from  about  1{  to 
If,  generally  about  1  ^.  Fore  toot  2f  to  3f ,  settling  near  3.  Hind 
foot  3§  to  nearly  4 J,  generally  a  little  over  4.  These  extremes, 
it  will  be  remembered,  are  those  between  the  largest  males  and 
smallest  females ;  neither  sex  has  so  wide  a  range. 


VARIATION    IN   SKULLS    OF   MUSTELA   AMERICANA.     89 
OEOGBAPBICAL  YARIATx  'N  IN  THE  SKULLS  OF  M.  AMERICANA. 


Mr.  J.  A.  AUeu  has  recently  *  giveu  a  table  of  measuremeut  of 
length  and  breadth  of  forty-six  skulls  of  this  species,  prepared  to 
show  the  range  of  geographical  variation.  His  results  are  here 
reproduced,  together  with  his  critical  commentary  on  the 
specific  validity  of  M.  amcricanu.  It  will  be  seen  that  he  aban- 
dons his  former  t  position,  and  endorses  the  distinctive  charac- 
ters of  the  dentition  of  MM.  martes,  foina,  and  americana. 

The  forty -six  male  skulls  of  this  species,  of  which  measuremeuts  are 
given  below,  are  mainly  from  four  or  five  localities  differing  widely  in  lati- 
tude. A  comparison  of  the  average  size  of  a  considerable  number  from  each 
shows  a  well-marked  decrease  in  size  southward.  Four  skulls  from  Peel 
River,  the  largest,  and  also  from  the  most  northerly  locality,  have  an  aver- 
age length  of  3,39,  and  an  average  width  of  2.0?,  the  extremes  being  3.50  and 
3.3.')  in  length  and  2.12  and  2.02  in  width.  Nine  skulls  from  the  Yukon  (prob- 
ably mostly  from  near  Fort  Yukon )  give  an  average  length  of  3.34  and  an  aver- 
age width  of  1.98,  the  extremes  being  3.55  and  3.00  in  length  and  2.15  and  1.73 
in  width.  Five  skulls  from  Fort  Good  Hope  give  jiu  average  length  of  3.24 
and  an  average  width  of  1.95,  the  extremes  in  length  being  3.37  and  3.15  and 
in  width  2.05  and  1.73.  Ten  skulls  from  the  northern  shore  of  Lake  Superior 
average  3.14  in  length  and  1.76  in  width,  the  extremes  in  length  being  2.23 
nud  3.02  and  in  width  1.89  and  1.65.  Eight  skulls  from  the  vicinity  of  Um- 
bagog  Lake,  Maine  (Coll.  Mus.  Comp.  ZoiJl.),  average  2.96  in  length  and  1.7 
in  width,  the  extremes  in  length  being  3.10  and  2.73  and  in  width  1.H5  and  ■ 
1,50.  Five  skulls  fi'om  Northeastern  New  York  average  3.02  in  length  and 
1.61  in  width,  the  extremes  being  in  length  3.10  and  2.92  and  in  width  1.63 
and  1.50.  There  is  thus  a  gradual  descent  in  the  average  length  from  3.39 
to  3.02,  and  in  width  from  2.07  to  l.Ol.  The  largest  and  the  smallest  of  the 
series  are  respectively  3.55  and  2.92  in  length.  Several  fall  as  low  as  3.00, 
and  an  equal  number  attain  3.50.  The  difference  between  the  largest  and 
the  smallest,  excluding  the  most  extreme  examples,  is  one-sixth  of  the  dimen- 
sions of  the  smaller  and  one-seventh  of  the  size  of  the  larger. 

The  sexes  differ  considerably  in  size,  relatively  about  the  same  as  in  Piup- 
riiis  vismi;  but  the  above  generalizations  are  based  wholly  on  males,  and  in 
each  case  on  those  of  practically  the  same  age,  only  spticimens  indicating 
mature  or  advanced  age  being  used. 

The  series  of  fully  one  hundred  skulls  of  this  species  contained  in  the 
National  Museum  presents  a  considerable  range  of  variation  in  details  of 
structure,  involving  the  general  form  of  the  skull,  the  relative  size  of  differ- 
ent parts,  and  the  dentition,  especially  the  form  and  relative  size  of  the  last 
molar.  In  a  former  paper,t  I  had  occasion  to  notice  somewhat  in  detail  the 
variations  in  color  our  American  Martens  present,  and  the  difficulty  of  flnd- 


*  Bull.  IT.  S.  Geological  and  Geographical  Survey  of  the  Territories,  vol.  ii, 
no.  4,  pp.  328-330  (July,  1876). 

t  Bull,  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.  Cambridge,  i,  pp.  161-167  lOct.  1869). 

t"  Mammals  of  Massachusetts"',  Bull.  Mus.  Comp,  Znijl.  vol.  i,  pp.  161-167 
(Oct.,  1869). 


J 

J 


90 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID-E. 


ing  »ny  features  of  coloratiou  that  seemed  to  indicate  more  than  a  single 
American  species,  or  that  would  serve  to  distinguish  this  even  from  the  Mar- 
tens of  the  Old  World.  Dr.  J.  E.  Gray,  it  is  true,  had  already  called  atten- 
tion to  the  small  size  of  the  last  molar  iu  the  American  Martens  as  compared 
with  the  size  of  the  same  tooth  in  the  Old  World  Martens  ;  but,  as  his  obser- 
vation was  apparently  based  on  a  single  American  skull,  and  as  I  was  at 
the  time  strongly  impressed  with  the  wide  range  of  individual  variation  I 
had  found  in  allied  groups,  even  in  dental  characters,  and  also  with  the  great 
frequency  of  Dr.  Gray's  characters  failing  to  be  distinctive,  I  was  misled 
into  supp<^Hing  all  the  Martens  might  belong  to  a  single  circumpolar  upecies, 
with  several  more  or  less  strongly-marked  geographical  races.  My  friend 
Dr.  Coues  some  months  since  kindly  called  my  attention  to  the  validity  of 
Dr.  Gray's  alleged  difference  in  respect  to  the  size  and  form  of  the  last  molar, 
which  I  have  since  had  opportunity  of  testing.  This  character  alone,  however, 
fails  to  distinguish  Mmiela  foina  from  Muntela  americana,  in  which  the  last 
molar  is  alike,  or  so  nearly  so  that  it  fails  to  furnish  distinctive  diiferences. 
The  size  and  general  form  of  the  skull  in  the  two  are  also  the  same,  the 
shape  of  the  skull  and  the  form  of  the  last  upper  molar  failing  to  be  diag- 
nostic. The  second  lower  true  molar,  however,  in  Mustela  foina  presents  a 
character  (shared  by  all  the  Old  World  Martens)  which  serves  to  distinguish 
it  from  Muatela  amerkaiia,  namely,  the  presence  of  an  inner  cusp  not  found 
iu  the  latter.  In  Muatela  Jiavigula,  the  last  molar  is  relatively  snwller  than 
even  in  Mustela  americana,  and  of  the  same  form.  Mustela  martea  differs  iu 
its  more  massive  dentition  and  in  the  heavier  structure  of  the  skull,  but 
especially  in  the  large  size  of  the  last  molar  and  the  very  great  development 
of  its  inner  portion.  Hence,  while  the  size  apd  shape  of  the  last  upper  molar 
serves  to  distinguish  Mustela  martes  from  Mustela  americana,  it  fails  as  a  valid 
distinction  between  Mustela  americana  and  Mustela  flavigula  and  Mustela  foina. 
As  already  remarked,  however,  Mustela  americana  lacks  the  inner  cusp  of  the 
second  lower  molar,  which  is  present  in  the  Old  World  Martens,  or  at  least 
possesses  it  only  in  a  very  rudimentary  condition.  .    , 

,  > '  '    •,■■>  ,1 ,     ,    '■ 

Measurements  of  forty-six  skulls  of  Mustela  americana. 


6043 
6049 

eoes 

A04T 
6044 
6091 
6048 
6046 
9090 
7159 
7167 
7168 
7164 
7163 
6081 
6080 
6063 
6059 
3385 


Locality. 


^ 


Ya1{0D  River cf 


.do. 
.do. 
.do. 
.do. 
.do. 
.do. 
.do. 


d 

d" 

'Kenai,  Alaska |  d" 

Fort  Good  Hope ;  dT 

do I  d" 

do I  d 

do '  d 

do d 

Peel  River d" 

do d 

do I  d 

do .1  d 

Red  River i  d 


EC 

a 


3.55 


50 

45 

37 

30 

00 

38 

3.38 

3.30 

3.37 

3,35 

3.35 

3.35 

3.15 

3.50 

3.37 

3.35 

3.35 

3.40 


3.15 
1.85 
1.83 
1.83 
1.85 
1.73 


1.83 
3.03 
3.05 
1.98 
1.93 
1.76 
1.73 
3.03 
3.13 


t.»4 


Remarks. 


Imperfect. 


Imperfect. 
....:.  do. 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS   OF   THK   MARTEN. 

M€((»u I  emenis  of  forty-six  «A«7fs  0/ Mustela  americaxa— Continued.  ' 


II 
"38 

0  = 


Locality. 


4670 
4668 
4664 
4668 
4666 
4675 
4674 
4667 
4672 
4681 


1668 

1163 

3819 

3818 

2<245 

541 

550 

543 

552 

553 

543 

545 

544 


Lake  Superior  (north  shore) . 

.do 

.do 

.do 


.do. 
.do. 
.do. 
.do. 

.do. 


05 


.do. 


d 

d 
d 


Wasliington  Territory 

do 

do J 

do 

Essex  County,  New  York \    d 

do I    cT 

<lo i    d 

do I    d 

Sarauac  Lake,  New  Toi  & i    d 

Umbagog  Lake,  Maine I    d 


.do. 
.do. 
.do. 
.do. 
.do. 
.do. 
.do. 


d 
d 
d 
■d 
d 
d 
d 


Remarks. 


Rather  young. 

do. 

do. 


GENERAL  HISTORY  AND  HABITS  OF   THE   SPECIES. 

According  to  the  foregoing  consideratioos,  the  history  of 
this  interesting  animal,  one  highly  valuable  iu  an  economic 
point  of  view,  is  to  be  disentangled  from  that  of  the  European 
and  Asiatic  species,  with  which  it  has  always  been  to  a  greater 
or  less  degree  intermixed.  The  first  specific  name,  so  far  as  I 
have  become  aware,  is  that  bestowed  iu  1806  by  Turtou,  in  an 
edition  of  the  Systema  datura!;  if  there  be  an  earlier  one,  it 
has  escaped  me.  This  name,  however,  appears  to  have  been 
generally  overlooked,  or  at  least  unemployed,  until  of  late 
years  revived  by  Professor  Baird.  His  usage  of  the  term, 
however,  has  received  but  partial  support,  some  of  the  later 
writers  agreeing  with  the  custom  of  earlier  ones  in  referring 
our  animal  to  the  European  Marten,  from  which,  as  I  have 
shown,  it  is  well  distinguished.  Previous  to  the  appearance  of 
Dr.  Brandt's  elaborate  memoir,  only  one  author,  it  seems, 
among  those  who  denied  its  specific  validity,  came  so  near  the 
mark  as  to  refer  it  to  the  Asiatic  Sable.  This  was  Dr.  God- 
man,  but  even  he  used  the  name  under  the  impression  that  the 
true  Sable  existed  in  America,  as  well  as  the  Pine  Marten, 


92 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


i^ 


%  1 


K  t 


11. 


which  he  refers  to  as  M.  martes.  As  will  be  seen  by  reference 
to  the  list  of  synonyms,  several  nominal  species  have  been 
established  at  the  expense  of  the  American  Sable,  upon  slight 
individaal  peculiarities.  The  earliest  of  these  is  the  M.  viilpina 
of  M.  Raflnesque,  which  represents  the  occasional  anomaly  of 
the  tail  white-tipped,  as  alluded  to  by  Mr.  Ross  in  the  article 
already  quoted.  A  similar  condition  of  the  feet  constitutes 
Kuhl's  M.  leucopiis ;  while  the  M.  huro  of  F.  Cuvier  is  appar- 
ently only  light-colored  individuals.  Dr.  Gray  seeks  to  estab- 
lish these  last  two  varieties,  and  adds  another,  M.  abietinoides, 
based  upon  dark-colored  examples,  with  the  *'  throat-spot  large 
or  broken  up  into  small  spots".  But  these  pretended  species 
are  not  such,  nor  even  as  varieties  are  they  entitled  to  more 
than  passing  allusion,  a?  .'udicating  to  what  extent  some  iudi- 
vidnals  may  depart  from  the  usual  style  of  coloration. 

Although  the  American  animal  was  known  in  very  early 
times,  long  before  it  received  a  distinctive  name,  having  been 
referred  alternately  to  the  European  Pine  Marten  and  Asiatic 
Sable,  or  to  both  of  these  species,  v^ry  little  definite  informa- 
tion upon  its  range  and  habits  was  recorded  for  many  years. 
Pennant,  our  principal  early  authority  on  the  animals  of  the 
Xorth  American  fur  countries,  and  the  source  of  much  subse- 
quent inspiration  on  these  species,  considered  it  the  same  as 
31.  martes,  and  drew  its  range  accordingly.  He  states  that  it 
inhabits,  in  great  abundance,  the  northern  parts  of  America, 
in  forests,  particularly  of  pine  and  fir,  nesting  in  the  trees, 
bringing  forth  once  a  year  from  two  to  four  young ;  that  itf 
food  is  principally,  mice,  but  also  includes  such  birds  as  it  can 
catch  ;  that  it  is  taken  in  dead-falls,  and  sometimes  eaten  by 
the  natives.  As  an  article  of  commerce  in  comparatively  early 
times,  we  notice  the  sale  of  some  15,000  skins  in  one  year  (1743) 
by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company,  and  the  importation  from  Can- 
ada by  the  French  into  Rochelle  of  over  30,000.  '*  Once  in  two 
or  three  years,"  he  adds,  they  "  come  out  in  great  multitudes, 
as  if  their  retreats  were  overstocked  :  this  the  hunters  look  on 
as  a  forerunner  of  great  snows,  and  a  season  favorable  to  the 
chase."  Such  periodicity  in  numbers  thus  early  noted  is  con- 
firmed by  later  observations.  ,   /; 

Sir  John  Richardson  has  the  following  observations  upon  th(> 
distribution  of  the  Sable  in  British  America :  "  The  Pine-martin 
inhabits  the  woody  districts  in  the  northern  parts  of  America, 
from  the  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  in  great  numbers,  and  have 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS   OF   THE    MARTEN. 


93. 


been  observed  to  be  particularly  abundnnt  where  the  trees  have 
been  killed  by  flio  but  are  still  standing.  It  is  very  rare  as 
Hearne  has  remarked,  in  the  district  lying  north  of  Churchill 
Eiver,  and  east  of  Great  Slave  Lake,  known  by  the  n&me  of 
Cbepewyan  or  Barren  Lands.  A  similar  district,  on  the  Asiatic 
side  of  Behring's  Straits,  twenty-five  degrees  of  longitude  io 
breadth,  and  inhabited  by  the  Tchutski,  is  described  by  Pen- 
nant as  equally  unfrequented  by  the  Martin,  pad  for  the  same 
reason, — the  want  of  trees.  The  limit  of  its  northern  range 
in  America  is  like  that  of  the  woods,  about  the  sixty-eighth 
degree  of  latitude,  and  it  is  said  to  be  found  as  far  south  as  New 
England.  Particular  races  of  Martins,  distinguished  by  the 
fineness  and  dark  colours  of  their  fur,  appear  to  inhabit  certain 
rocky  districts.  The  rocky  and  mountainous  but  wood^  district  of 
the  Nipigon,  on  the  north  side  of  Lake  Superior,  has  long  been 
noted  for  its  black  and  valuable  Martin-skins.  ...  Upwards 
of  one  hundred  thousand  skins  have  long  been  collected  annu- 
ally in  the  fur  countriea." 

But  the  range  of  the  American  Sable  is  now  known  to  be 
more  extended  in  both  directions  than  appears  from  the  fore- 
going. In  some  longitudes,  at  least,  if  not  in  all,  it  reaches  the 
Arctic  coast,  as  mentioned  by  Mr.  B.  E.  Boss,  and  as  attested 
by  specimens  I  have  examined.  Mr.  Ross  states  that  it  is  found 
throughout  the  Mackenzie  Eiver  District,  except  in  the  Barren 
lands,  to  which  it  does  not  resort,  being  an  arboreal  animal.  It 
occurs  abundantly  in  Alaska,  apparently  throughout  that  vast 
country ;  and,  in  short,  we  cannot  deny  it  a  less  highly  Arctic 
extension  than  that  of  the  Asiatic  Sable.  Along  the  Pacific 
side  of  the  continent,  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  the  Sable 
has  been  traced  to  the  Yuba  River  of  California  by  Dr.  J.  S. 
Newberry,  who  i  onresents  it  as  not  uncommon  in  Oregon ;  and 
Dr.  George  Suckl  >y  procured  specimens  in  Washington  Terri- 
tory. Mr.  J.  ^.  /•  i  m  found  the  animal  in  Wyoming  and  Colo- 
rado, and  CO  >  .  lert?  it  as  common  iu  the  last-mentioned  Territory 
in  Park  County.  But  however  far  south  it  may  extend  in  such 
longitudes,  there  is  apparently  a  great  stretch  of  treeless  country 
in  which  it  is  not  found  at  all.  I  obtained  no  indications  of  its 
presence  in  any  of  the  unwooded  portions  of  Dakota  and  Mon- 
tana, which  I  have  explored  with  special  reference  to  the  dii"' 
tribution  of  the  Mammals  and  Birds.  It  is  represented  as  com- 
mon in  CF^nada,  Nova  Scotia,  Newfoundland,  and  Labrador.  In 
Kew  England,  according  to  Dr.  Emmons,  writing  in  1840,  it 


m 


94 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


1= 


!    ih 


was  uot  infrequent  in  the  pine  and  beech  forests  of  Massachu- 
setts, and  Mr.  Allen  states  that  it  is  still  occasionally  seen  in 
the  mountains  of  Berkshire  County.  It  inhabits  the  mountain- 
ous regions  of  New  York  and  some  parts  of  Pennsylvania ;  but 
in  tracing  its  extreme  southern  limit  in  the  Atlantic  States,  we 
see  that  it  has  uot  been  found  so  far  south  as  the  Pekan  has.  I 
find  no  indication  of  its  occurrence  in  Maryland  or  Virginia. 
The  southern  limit,  which  has  been  set  at  about  40<^  north,  is 
probably  correct  for  this  longitude,  though  in  the  mountainous 
regions  of  the  West  it  may  require  to  be  somewhat  extended. 
General  considerations  aside,  its  local  distribution  is  determined 
primarily  by  the  presence  or  absence  of  trees,  and  further 
affected  by  the  settlement  of  the  country.  Being  of  a  shy  and 
suspicious  nature,  it  is  one  of  the  first  to  disappear,  among  the 
smaller  animals,  with  the  advance  of  civil  zation  into  its  woody 
resorts.  In  unpeopled  districts,  even  the  vast  numbers  that 
are  annually  destroyed  for  the  pelts  seems  to  affect  their  abund- 
ance less  materially  than  the  settlement  of  tho  country  does. 
Notwithstanding  such  destruction,  they  abound  in  the  northern 
wilds.  Even  in  Nova  Scotia,  a  thousand  skins  are  said  to  have 
been  exported  annually  within  a  few  years,  and  they  may  justly 
be  regarded  as  among  the  most  important  of  the  land  fur-bearing 
animals.  Eespecting  their  comparative  scarcity  at  times,  Mr. 
Boss  has  recorded  a  remarkable  fact  of  periodical  disappear- 
ance. "  It  occurs  in  decades,"  he  says,  "  or  thereabouts,  with 
wonderful  regularity,  and  it  is  quite  unknown  what  becomes  of 
them.  They  are  not  found  dead.  The  failure  extends  through- 
out the  Hudson's  Bay  Territory  at  the  same  time.  And  there 
is  no  tract,  or  region  to  which  they  can  migrate  where  we  have 
uot  posts,  or  into  which  our  hunters  have  not  penetrated.  .  .  . 
When  they  aie  at  their  lowest  ebb  in  point  of  numbers,  they 
will  scarcely  bite  at  all  [at  the  bait  of  the  traps].  Providence 
appears  thus  to  have  implanted  some  instinct  in  them  by  which 
the  total  destruction  of  their  race  is  prevented." 

The  Sable  is  ordinarily  captured  in  wooden  traps  of  very 
simple  construction,  made  on  the  spot.  The  traps  are  a  little 
enclosure  of  stakes  or  brush  in  which  the  bait  is  placed  upon 
a  trigger,  with  a  short  upright  stick  supporting  a  log  of  wood; 
the  animal  is  shut  oflf  from  the  bait  in  any  but  the  desired 
direction,  and  the  log  falls  upon  its  victim  with  the  slightest 
disturbance.  A  line  of  such  traps,  several  to  the  mile,  often 
extends  many  miles.    The  bait  is  any  kind  of  meat,  a  mouse, 


B!u  I'i 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS   OF   THE    MARTEN. 


95 


squirrel,  piece  of  fisb,  or  bird's  head.  One  of  the  greatest  ob- 
stacles that  the  Sable  huuter  has  to  contend  with  in  many 
localities  is  the  persistent  destruction  of  his  traps  by  the  Wol- 
verene and  Pekan,  both  of  which  display  great  cunning  and 
perseverance  in  following  up  his  line  to  eat  the  bait,  and  even 
the  Sables  themselves  which  may  bo  captured.  The  exploits 
of  these  animals  in  this  respect  may  be  seen  from  the  accounts 
elsewhere  given.  I  have  accounts  from  Hudson's  Bay  trappers 
ot  a  Sable  road  fifty  miles  long,  containing  150  traps,  every  one 
of  which  was  destroyed  throughout  the  whole  line  twice — once 
by  a  Wolf,  once  by  the  Wolverene.  When  thirty  miles  of 
this  same  road  wa3  given  up,  the  remaining  40  traps  were 
broken  five  or  six  times  in  succession  by  the  latter  animal. 
The  Sable  is  principally  trapped  during  the  colder  mouths,  from 
October  to  April,  when  the  fur  is  in  good  condition ;  it  is  nearly 
valueless  during  the  shedding  in  summer.  Sometimes,  however, 
bait  is  refused  in  March,  and  even  early  that  month,  probably 
with  the  coming  on  of  the  rutting  season.  The  period  of  full 
furring  varies  both  in  spring  and  autumn,  according  to  lati- 
tude, by  about  a  month  as  an  extreme. 

Notwithstanding  the  x^ersistent  and  uninterrupted  destruc- 
tion to  which  the  Sable  is  subjected,  it  does  not  appear  to 
diminish  materially  in  numbers  in  unsettled  parts  of  the 
country.  The  periodical  disappearances  noted  by  Mr.  Ross 
and  the  animal's  early  retreat  before  the  inroads  of  population 
are  other  matters.  It  holds  its  own  partly  in  consequence  of  its 
shyness,  which  keeps  it  away  from  the  abodes  of  men,  and 
partly  because  it  is  so  prolific;  it  brings  forth  six  or  eight  young 
at  a  litter.  Its  home  is  sometimes  a  den  under  ground  or  be- 
neath rocks,  but  ofteuer  the  hollow  of  a  tree;  it  is  said  to  fre- 
quently take  forcible  possession  of  a  Squirrel's  nest,  driving  off 
or  devouring  the  rightful  proprietor.  Though  frequently  called 
Pine  Marten,  like  its  European  relative,  it  does  not  appear  to  be 
particularly  attached  to  coniferous  woods,  though  these  are  its 
abode  in  perhaps  most  cases,  simply  because  such  forests  pre- 
vail to  a  great  extent  in  the  geographical  areas  inhabited  by 
the  Marten. 

The  Sable  is  no  partner  iu  guilt  with  the  Mink  and  Stoat  in 
invasion  of  the  farm-yard,  nor  will  it,  indeed,  designedly  take 
up  its  abode  in  the  clearing  of  a  settler,  preferring  always  to 
take  its  chances  of  food  supi)ly  in  the  recesses  of  the  forest. 
Active,  industrious,  cunning,  and  predaceous  withal,  it  finds 


96 


NORTH   AMERICAN    Ml'STELID^. 


ample  siibsisteuce  in  tlie  weaker  Rodents,  Insectivora,  and  birds 
and  their  eggs.  It  hunts  on  the  ground  for  Mice,  which  con- 
stitute a  large  share  of  its  sustenance,  as  well  as  for  Shrews, 
Moles,  certain  reptiles,  and  insects.  An  expert  climber,  qaite 
at  home  in  the  leafy  intricacies  of  tree  tops,  it  pursues  Squirrels, 
and  goes  birds'-nesting  with  success.  It  is  said  to  also  secure 
toads,  frogs,  lizards,  and  even  fish.  Like  the  Wolverene  and 
Fekan,  it  sometimes  makes  an  entrance  upon  the  hoards  of  meat 
and  fish  which  are  cached  by  the  natives  in  the  higher  latitudes. 
It  is  said  not  to  reject  carrion  at  times.  It  has  been  stated  to 
eat  various  nuts  and  berries,  as  well  as  to  be  fond  of  honey;  but 
we  may  receive  such  accounts  with  caution,  viewing  the  very 
highly  carnivorous  character  of  the  whole  group  to  which  the 
species  belongs.      ;.','.,v' '•:,■;-<■ ;-  .:„-■„;■'.*:...;■.■■• 'w:-:- ■-•. 

The  Sable  has  some  of  the  musky  odor  characteristic  of  its 
family,  but  in  very  mild  degree  compared  with  the  fetor  of 
the  Mink  or  Polecat.  Hence  the  name  "  Sweet  Marten ",  by 
which  its  nearest  European  ally  is  known,  in  contradistinction 
from  Foulimart,  or  "  Foul  Marten ",  a  name  of  the  Polecat. 
With  a  general  presence  more  pleasing  than  that  of  the  spe- 
cies of  Putorius,  it  combines  a  nature,  if  not  less  truly  preda- 
ceous,  at  least  less  sanguinary  and  insatiable.  It  does  not  kill 
after  its  hunger  is  appeased,  nor  does  a  blind  ferocity  lead  it 
to  attack  animals  as  much  larger  than  itself  as  those  that  the 
Stoat  assaults  with  success.  Animals  like  the  Eabbit  and 
Squirrel  form  less  of  its  prey  than  the  smaller  Bodents  and 
Insectivores.  In  confinement,  the  Marten  becomes  in  time 
rather  gentle,  however  untamable  it  may  appear  at  first ;  it  is 
sprightly,  active,  with  little  unpleasant  odor,  and  altogether 
rather  agreeable.     i         '^ 


•:w4-   '  /^»if  •/ 


liiiili! 


CHAPTER    IV. 


MUSTELINiE— Continued  :  The  Weasels. 

The  genus  PutoriiiH — Generic  characters  and  remarks — Division  of  the  genus 
into  sabgenera — Analysis  of  the  North  American  species — The  subgenus 
Gale — Putmius  vulgaris,  the  Common  Weasel — Synonymy— Habitat— Spe- 
cific characters — General  characters  and  relationships  of  the  species — Geo- 
graphical distribution — Habits — Putoriua  erminea,  the  Stoat  or  Ermine^ 
Synonymy — Habitat — Specilic  characters — Discussion  of  specific  charac- 
ters and  relationships — Table  of  measurements — Note  on  the  skull  and 
teeth — Description  of  external  cluiracters — Conditions  of  the  change  of 
color — General  history  and  habits  of  the  species — Its  distribution  in  the 
Old  World — Ptitorius  longlmuda.  the  Long-tailed  Weasel — Synonymy — 
Habitat— Specific  characters — Description — Measurements — General  ac- 
count of  the  speciep — Putoriut  braaiUetms  frenaius,  the  Bridled  Weasel — 
Synonymy — Habitat — Specific  characters — General  account  of  the  species. 

CONTINUING  with  the  subfamily  Miistelince,  but  passing 
from  the  genus  Miistela,  we  reach  the  next  genus,  Pnto- 
m»,  which  contains  the  true  Weasels  or  Stoats  (subgenus 
Gale),  the  Ferrets  and  Polecats  (suligenus  Putorius  proper), 
the  American  Ferret  (subgenus  Cynomyonax)^  and  the  Minks 
(subgenus  Lutreola).  This  chapter  is  devoted  to  the  considera- 
tion of  the  species  of  the  first  of  these  sections,  after  presenta- 
tion of  the  characters  of  the  genus  at  large.  The  other  sec- 
tions are  reserved  for  succeeding  chapters.  , 

.     .  The  Genus  PUTORIUS.    (CuviER.) 


<  MnsteU,  or  Msrtes,  of  some  anthers. 

X  Viverra  «p.,  I<u(ra  «p- of  some  authors. 

=  Putorius,  Ouviw,  Rdgne  Anim.  i.  1817,  and  of  authors  generally. 

■=  FflBtoriUS,  Keyi.  d  BVm.  Wirbelth.  Eur.  1840. 

>  Gymnopus,  Oray,  Cat.  Mamm.  Br.  Mns.  1842. 

>  Lutreola,  "  Wagner  ",  Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 117.    (Type  Mxutela  lutreola  L .) 

>  Gale,  "Wagner",  Oray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 118. 

>  Neogale,  Oray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 114.    (Type  P.  braeiliengit.) 

>  Vlson,  G^ray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 115.    (Type  P.  wiwn.) 


3 


-3  . 


C. 


Pm. 


Gknbric    characters. — Dental  formula:    I.  ^   __ 
M.  i^  =1|  =34  (one  premolar  above  and  below  less  than  in  Gu  Jo  and  Mm- 
tela).    Sectorial  tooth  of  lower  jaw  (anterior  true  molar)  without  an  inter- 
7  m  97 


n 


NORTH   AX.ERICAN   MUSTELID/E. 


mi  i 


rl 


nal  cusp.  Aatoorbital  foramen  preMenting  downward-forward  (as  in  .Vjjs- 
tela;  revertto  of  (hih),  a  mere  oriticu,  not  canal-like,  and  opening  over  the 
last  premolar  (the  opening  more  anterior  in  Giilo  and  Mualvia),  Skull  as  a 
rule*  little  contracted  at  tbe  middle ;  the  rostral  portion  extremely  short, 
stout,  turgid,  scarcely  tapering,  and  much  more  vertically  truncated  than  in 
Giilo  or  Mustrla;  frontal  protilo  convex,  and  usually  more  nearly  horizontal 
than  in  Galo  or  Mu»tela.  Nasal  bones  widening  forward  from  an  acute  base. 
General  outline  of  skull  in  profile  scarcely  arched — sometimes  (luite  straight 
and  horizontal  in  most  of  its  length.  Production  of  mastoids  and  auditory 
buUie  and  general  promlneuco  of  pcriotic  region  at  a  minimum ;  the  bulhi> 
flatter  than  in  Mimtela  or  Gnlo,  and  scarcely  so  constricted  across  as  to  pro- 
duce a  tubular  meatus.  Zygomatic  arch  usually  not  higher  behind  than  iu 
front,  nowhere  vertical  nor  developing  a  posterior  convexity.  Depth  of 
emargination  of  palate  little  if  any  greater,  or  less  than,  distance  thence  to 
the  molars.  Skull  as  a  whole  more  massive  than  in  Mmtela,  though  smaller. 
Size  medium  and  very  small  (including  the  smallest  species  of  the  whole 
family).  Bo<ly  cylindrical,  slender,  ofteu  extremely  so;  legs  verj'  short; 
tail  long,  terete,  uniformly  bushy  or  very  slendes  and  close-haired,  with  a 
terminal  pencil.  Ears  large,  orbicular.  Soles  commonly  furry.  Pelage 
usually  close  and  short,  whole-,  or  oftener,  parti-colored ;  turning  white  iu 
wiutor  in  Northern  species.  Progression  digitigrade.  Habits  Indetermin- 
ate— terrestrial,  arboreal,  or  aquatic.  , 

The  foregoing  characters  are  drawn  up  from  consideration  of 
the  European  and  North  American  forms,  and  may  require 
some  qualification,  in  ultimate  details,  to  cover  all  the  modifi- 
cations of  this  extensive  genus,  containing,  as  it  does,  several 
sections  or  groups  of  species,  probably  of  subgeneric  value. 
From  Gulo  or  Mustela  it  is  at  once  distinguished  by  the  diiier- 
ent  dental  formula.  The  skull,  as  compared  with  that  of  its 
nearest  ally,  Mustela,  differs  notably  in  the  shortness  and 
bluntness  of  the  muzzle,  position  and  direction  of  the  ante- 
orbital  foramen,  slight  convexity  of  the  upper  profile,  and  other 
points  noted  above.  There  is  a  decided  difterence  in  the  char- 
acter of  the  auditory  bullai,  more  readily  perceived  on  compar- 
ison than  described;  the  bulhe  are^ usually  less  inflated — some- 
times quite  flat,  as  in  P.  vison ;  andf  even  when,  as  iu  some 
cases,  the  inflation  of  the  basal  portion  is  not  much  less  than 
in  Mustela,  we  miss  the  constriction| which  in  the  latter  genus 
produces  a  well-determined  tubular  meatus.  The  skull  of  Fn- 
tortus  is  decidedly  heavier  for  its  size  than  that  of  Mustela,  in 
this  respect  more  like  that  of  Oulo,  though  it  is  comparatively 
much  flattened  and  other svise  dissimilar  from  the  latter. 

The  name  of  the  genus  is  from  the  ILatin  putor,  a  stench 

*  In  some  species  of  Putorim,  however,  the  constriction  is  as  great  as  is 
ever  found  in  Muatela. 


ANALY&iS  OF  THE  GENUS  PUTORIUS. 


99 


{puteo,  to  stink),  aa  one  of  its  synonyras,  F<etorius,  is  from 
fietor^  /<eteo,  of  the  same  siguitication.  The  rehitiou  of  the 
Eng\i»h  putri<1,  fetid,  &c.,  is  obvious. 

The  extensive  genus  Putorius  is  divisible  into  several  well- 
marked  sections,  doubtless  of  aubgeneric  value.  Three  such 
groups  exist  in  North  America.  These  may  be  analyzed  as 
follows,  in  connection  with  a  fourth  group,  Putorius  proper, 
introduced  to  further  elucidate  the  position  and  relations  of  a 
new  subgenus  I  propose  for  the  reception  of  the  Putorius  ni- 
yrii)es. 

Dirisioii  of  the  geiiitH  iuto  mthgriiera. 

1.  tfAi.K.  * — The,  StoafH  or  ICrmhien,  and  Weaseh, — Skull  smooth,  without 
woll-devoloped  Hagittal  cro.st.  Frontal  profile  strongly  convex  and  decli- 
vous. Pterygoids  with  small  haninlar  processes,  or  none.  Bulhe  anditoritr 
nicked  at  end  by  orifice  of  the  meatus.  Skull  moderately  abruptly  con- 
stricted near  the  middle;  postorbital  processes  slight.  Species  of  snuill  and 
smallest  size,  with  very  slender,  cylindrical,  "  vermiform  "  body,  very  loug 
neck,  and  tail  (of  variable  length)  slenderly  terete,  with  terminal  pencil, 
usually  black ;  pelage,  including  that  of  the  tail,  short  and  close  set  (the 
Northern  species  usually  turning  white  in  winter),  bicolor,  of  uniform  color 
above,  lighter  below.  Ears  li.ige,  higlr,  and  orbicular.  Palmar  pads  all 
separate.  Toes  scarcely  wobbed.  Habits  terrestrial,  and  somewhat  arbo- 
real ;  not  a<iuatic.    Of  general  distribution  in  both  hemispheres. 

'i.  CvNOMVONAXt  (nob.,  subg.  nov.).—Aiiivrir<in  Ferret. — Skull  developing 
sagittal  crest.  Frontal  profile  scarcely  or  not  convex,  strongly  declivous. 
Pterygoids  with  slight  Immular  process.  Bulla"  auditoriie  nicked  by  orifice 
of  meatus.  Sectorial  tooth  of  upper  jaw  with  its  outer  border  nearly  straight, 
developing  no  decided  antero-oxtcrnal  process,  and  the  antero-internal  pro- 
cess merely  a  slight  spur.  Skull  abruptly  and  strongly  constricted  iu  ad- 
vance of  the  middle,  with  strongly  developed  postorbital  processes.  Last 
molar  of  under  jaw  minute,  merely  a  cylindrical  round-topped  stump,  without 
trace  of  cusps  or  other  irregularity  of  surface.  Animal  of  large  size,  equal- 
ling or  exceeding  a  large  Mink,  yet  retaining  the  attenuate,  elongate  and 
cylindrical  body,  long  neck,  large  suborbicular  ears,  slenderly  terete  black- 
tipped  tail,  and  close  short  pelage  of  Gale.  Coloration  not  distinctively 
bicolor ;  legs  darker  than  body ;  peculiar  facial  marking.  Toes  not  serai- 
palmate.  Palmar  pads  discrete.  Habits  terrestrial.  No  seasonal  change  of 
colors.    One  species  known,  peculiar  to  North  America. 

3.  Putorius  I  (proper). — The  Ferrets  or  Polecats. — Skull  finally  develop- 
ing sagittal  crest,  and  roughened  muscular   impressions.    Frontal  profile 

*£tym. — The  Greek  ya'/.i'/,  a  weasel. 

\Etym. — Greek  kvuv,  dog,  five,  mouse,  uva^  (or  fivof),  king. — The  genns 
Vynomys  {kvuv,  five)  is  that  of  the  so-called  "  prairie-dogs",  among  which  the 
species  lives,  and  upon  which  it  largely  subsists. — Cynomyonax,  "king  of 
the  prairie-dogs  ". 

\  Etym. — See  above. 


':i  I  I 


1^'    :: 


100 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELIDVE. 


convex,  strougly  doclivoua.  Pterygoids  developing  large  hi  'nnlar  processes. 
Bullu)  auditoriiD  nicked  by  oriQce  of  ineatHH.  Hkiill  scarcely  constricted  near 
the  middle,  where,  if  anything,  it  is  broader  than  rostrum  ;  postorbital  pro- 
cesses poorly  developed.  Sectorial  tootli  of  upper  jaw  as  in  Ciinomnonax. 
Back  molar  of  lower  jaw  of  ordinary  size,  circular,  developing  irregularities 
of  the  crown.  Animals  rather  large,  comparatively  stout-bo<lied,  less  length- 
ened, with  rather  bushy,  tapering  tail,  and  low,  orbicular  ears;  pcluge 
long  and  loose,  instead  of  close-set,  variegated  above,  or  there  not  notably 
darker  than  below ;  do  not  turn  white  in  winter.  Palmar  pads  separate. 
Toes  not  semipahnatc.  Terrestrial  in  habits.  The  species  confined  to  the 
Old  World, 

4,  LuTRKOLA*. — The  Minks, — Skull  of  adult  developing  sagittal  crest  and 
muscular  impressions.  Frontal  outliue  nearly  straight  and  scarcely  declivous. 
Pterygoids  with  strong  hamular  procoss.  BuUte  auditoriiu  notably  less 
inllated  than  in  the  foregoing,  prolonged  into  a  somewhat  tubular  meatus, 
not  nicked  at  orifice.  Constriction  of  skull  and  development  of  postorbital 
processes  intermediate  in  degree  between  I'utorius  proper  and  Vijnomyonax. 
Sectorial  tooth  of  upper  jaw  with  its  outer  border  concave,  owing  to  devel- 
opment of  a  strong  antero-exterior  spur,  which  lies  out  of  the  axis  of  dentition, 
and  forms  with  the  antero-iutorior  cusp  (present  in  all  Miintelinw)  a  rather 
open  V,  into  which  the  antecedent  premolar  fits,  the  antero-internal  process 
developing  to  a  conical  cusp.  Back  lower  molar  as  in  I'uturius  proper. 
Animals  of  large  to  largest  size  in  the  genus,  stout-bodied,  rather  long  and 
very  busby  tail,  cylindrico-tapering ;  pelage  moderately  loose,  but  thick, 
to  resist  water,  very  bristly  and  lustrous,  dark-colored,  unicolor  or  only 
varied  with  irregular  white  patches  on  under  parts ;  no  seasonal  changes  of 
pelage.  Ears  very  low.  Feet  semipnlmate,  natatorial.  Palmar  pads  with- 
out hairy  intervals.  Habits  highly  aquatic.  Species  common  to  both  hem- 
ispheres. 

The  first  of  these  subgenera  is  represented  in  North  America 
by  several  species,  some  of  which  are  not  clearly  distinguished 
from  their  congeners  of  Europe,  while  another  is  specifically 
identical  with  an  animal  which  ranges  through  Central  into  South 
America.  The  second  and  fourth  each  contain  a  single  North 
American  species,  as  far  as  known,  the  fourth  having  a  closely 
allied  European  congener ;  while  the  second,  peculiar  to  Amer- 
ica, is  the  nearest  analogue  of  the  third,  which  has  no  exact 
American  representative. 

The  North  American  species  of  Putorius  at  large  may  be 
determined  by  the  following  analysis  of  subgeneric  and  specific 
characters: —  ,  ,, 

*  Etym.—"  Lutreola  ",  "  Little  Otter  "—diminutive  form  of  the  Latin  lutra, 
an  Otter,  which  the  Mink  much  resembles.  For  von  Marten's  exposition  of 
the  word  lutra  in  its  several  forms,  and  discussion  of  the  philological  ques- 
tions involved,  see  p.  29. 


ANALYSIS   OP   N.    A.    SPECIES    OP   PUTORIUS. 


101 


AnnlyxiH  of  Xorth  Jmrricdn  xpeiien  nf  I'litoriiig. 

A.  (Giile.)  Of  HumlloHt  m/.o  (len>;tli  of  Imail  and  body  midor  12  inches),  most 

slender  and  attenuate  body,  and  lonj^est  nock.     ICars  conspiciiouH, 
orbicular.     Tail  (jloTidtirly  terete,  witli  tlio  tip  usually  (rarely  in 
viilij((fin)  black.     Toes  cleft.     Palmar  pads  separate.     Coloration 
bicolor,  in  distinct  upper  and  under  areas,  latter  not  darker  than 
former,  feet  not  black;  or,  entirely  white,  excoptinjj  black  tip  of 
tail.     (Weasels,  Stoats  or  Erniincs.) 
(I,  Head  not  darker  than  rest  of  upper  parts,  nor  variegated  witli  stroaki* 
or  spots. 
a'.  Tail  pointed  at  end,  scarcely  or  not  black-tipped,  2  inchet*  or  less 
in  length,  including  hairs;  belly  white  or  scarcely  tinged  with 

sulphury 1,  P.  vl'uiakis. 

//.  Tail  with  a  terminal  pencil  of  black  hairs,  and  over  2  inches  long, 

including  hairs. 

a".  Belly  pure  sulphury-yellow;  tail-vertebne  2-5  inches  long,  the 

black  tip  not  confined  to  the  terminal  pencil.   .    .    2.  P.  kuminka. 

?>".  Belly  tawny,  satlVon  or  salnion-yoUow ;  tail  (>-7  inches  long,  the 

black  tip  reduced  to  terminal  pencil.     .    .    .    :}.  P.  i-onoicaud.v. 

h.  Head  darker  than  rest  of  ui  ^.ar  parts,  with  light  stripes  or  spots;  belly 

as  in  h" 4.  P.  ijrasilikxsis  fiu'.xatus. 

B.  {Cynomiionax.)  Much  larger;  length  of  head  and  body  over  It  inches; 

body  scarcely  stouter,  and  equally  close-haired,  and  tail  very 
short,  slenderly  terete,  black-tipped.  Ears  conspicuous,  orbic- 
ular. Toes  cleft.  Palmar  pads  separate.  Coloration  not  bicolor 
in  distinct  areas.  (American  Ferret.) 
Pale  brown,  nearly  uniform,  or  brownish-white,  scarcely  darker  on 
the  back ;  feet,  end  of  tail,  and  broad  bar  across  the  face  black. 

5.   P.  NIGKIPES. 

C.  {LiiQ'eohi.)  Size  of  the  last,  or  rather  less  ;  body  as  stout  or  stouter.    Ears 

low.    Toes  semipalmate.     Palmar  i^ads  fused.    Tail  uniformly 
bushy.    (Mink.) 
Dark  chestnut-brown  or  blackish,  uniform,  or  only  varied  by  white 
patches  below  ;  tail  without  differently  colored  tip. 

6.  P.  VISON. 


The  Subgenus  GALE.    (WAGNER.) 

This  subgenus,  which  lucludes  the  Weasels  proper  and  the 
Stoats  or  Ermines,  comprises  a  large  majority  of  the  species  of 
Putorius,  widely  distributed  over  the  globe.  The  leading  char- 
acters which  distinguish  it  from  its  nearest  allies  have  already 
been  given  (p.  99),  together  with  an  analysis  of  the  four  species 
known  to  inhabit  North  America.  Further  details  of  the  skull, 
teeth,  and  external  form  are  presented  beyond,  under  head  of 
G.  erminea,  which,  as  a  typical  member  of  the  subgenus,  may 
serve  as  a  standard  of  comparison.  We  may  at  once,  there- 
fore, proceed  to  consider  the  several  North  American  species. 


if 


102 


NORTU    AMERICAN    MUSTELID/E. 


1^ 


I  fl 


The  IVeaMel. 

Piitoriiis  (Onle)  Tiilgrnris. 

Plate  VI,  Fios.  2,  4.     • 
(«.  Old  World  reforeneet.) 

Mustela,    Vitriorum    {"Oem.  Quad.  1551,  851,  f. —.—Sc/iiwnriltA  Tlieriotroph.  1603,  116.— 

Ohai-M.  Exercit.  1677,  iO.—Rzncz.  Polou.  1721, 235"). 
Mustela  vulijaris,  Aldfov.  Qnad.  Digit.  1645,  -im.-Sm.  Scot.  Illust.  ii.  Ifiell,  W.—Kay,  Syn. 

16!»3, 195— i.  ,S.  N. eii*. 2(l-5tli,  1740-47, H.—Kb'ln,  Quad.  1751, &i.—Jomt.  Thoatr.  1755, 

152,  pi.  04.— B)-M«.  Quad.  1756,  241,  no.  l.—Ei'xl.  Syst.  Auiin.  1777,  471,  uo.  12  (syiion. 

iiiHcb  mixed  with  that  of  other  species).- .S'eftrWi.  Siiug.  lii.  1778.— Om.  S.  N.  i.  1788, 99.— 

Jifchst.  Xttturg.  1. ,  612.— Ihirt.  S.  N.  i.  1806,  61.— Dc«m.  Marani.  i.  1820,  179,  no.  275; 

Nouv.  Diet.  xix.  372;  KQcy.  Meth.  pi.  84,f.  l.—Fr.  Our.  Diet  Sci.  Xat.  xxix.1823, 251,  no. 

7.— /».  Oeof.  Diet. Class.  x.SKJ.- tcM.  Man.  1827,146.— Fwo/i.  Syn.  1829,  2'i3.—Fl<'m.lir. 

An.  1828, 13— J(!«.  IJr.  Vert.  1835,  12.— B. H,  Br.  (,>nad.  1837,  Ml ;  2d  ed.  1874,  182,  f.  — .— 

Seljfs-L.  ¥u.  Belg.  1842,  10.— Griiy,  List  Mainiu.  Br.  Mus.  1843,  Gb.-Oirh.  Siiug.  1855, 

lS2.—FiU.  Natiirg.  Siiiis.  i.  1861, 335,  f.  69.— rrcrr.  Cat.  Br.  Mas.  1862,  'Si.—Farwick,  Zool. 

<iart.  xiv.  1873, 17  (alhino). 
Muslela  vultturlst  a.  «i><itlvii,  P.  nivalis,  Om.  S.  K.  i,  1788, 99,  nos.  11  a,  11  b. 
VIverra  vulgaris,  Shmr,  G.  Z.  i,  1800,  4iO,  pi.  98,  upper  tig. 
Mustela  (liale)  viilKaris,  ScAiHz.Syu.M.imm.i.  1844,344. -0;ai/.P.  Z.S.  1865, 113;  Cat.  Carn. 

Br.  Mus.  1869, 90. 
Putorlus  vulgarlii.  Griff.  An.  Kinjid.  v.  1827,  121,  no.  344  (but  not  same  name  on  p.  120,  no. 

•Xid).—Hrandt.  Wirb.  Eur.  N.  E.  Russl. ,  26. 

FflBtorliis  vulKariN.  Keys,  dr  Jilai.  Wirb.  Eur.  1840, 69,  no.  14~.— Bins.  Wirb.  Deutschl.  1857, 

'iZl.-Jiickel,  Zool.  Gart.  xiv.  1873,  459  (albino). 
MllsteiA  llivall!*,  Linn.  Fn.  Suec.  2d  ed.  1701,  7,  no.  18;  S.  N.  i.  1766,  69,  no.  11.— Miill.  Zool. 

Prod.  1776,  3,  no.  15.—Frxl.  Syst.  An.  1777,  476,  no.  U.—Schreb.  Siiup.  iii.  1778,  pi.  138.— 

Jl,ll.  Kon.  Vet.  Akad.  StncVh.  vi.  1785, 212,  no.  9,  pi.  l.—Lese.  Man.  1827, 146. 
Mustfia  Kale,  I'nU.  Zoo;;.  K.-A.  i.  1831, 94,  no.  32. 
BtMtQ,  liries.  op.  e,^  loc.  eit.—liuf.  Uiat.  Nat.  vii.  225,  pi.  29,  f.  l.—J5omn/c,  Diet.  1. 1768, 

2G-i.— French.— Marcot,  Marrolle,  French. 
roilimoil  Weescl,  Venn.  Syu.  (Jiiad.  1771, 212,  no.  J51 ;  IJrit.  Zool.  1. ,  95,  pi.  7, 1".  It.— Shaw, 

op.  loc.  cif.— Weasel  or  MecSf I,  Knglish. 
Srheeiiwlescl,  Miill.  Natnrs.  i.  17;o,276  (=  Jf.  nivalis). 
WIesel,  Kleine  WIeael,  German  (il.  r.  Martens,  Zool.  Gart.  xi.  1870,  p.  276,  philological).— 

We/el,  JM(iie.—\«isv\,  Laskatt,   /^hhi*;!.— Sneemuus,   Danish  (white).— Snbmus, 

Swedish  (white).- BalluUula,  //aitan.— I'oiuadreja,  Spanish. 

(ft.  American  references.) 

.Muslela  nivalis,  Font.  Phil.  Tr.  Ixii.  1772,  373. 

Mustela  vulgaris,  iTf/c!.  Fn.  Amer.  i.  1825,  ai.— Maxim.  Keisc,  ii.  If 41,  QS.-Thomps.  N.  11. 

Verm.  1853,  •M.—Uall,  Canad.  Nat.  and  Geol.  vi.  1861, 295. 
Mustela  (Piiloriiis)  vulgaris,  Kick.  F.  B.-A.  1. 1839, 45. 
Pulorius  vulgaris,  Emm.  Hep.  Quad.  Mass.  1840, 44.— J^;;.Pr.  Bost.Soc.  xiii.  1869,  183;  Bull. 

M.  C.  Z.  i.  1870, 167. 
Miistela  (Uale)  vulKaris  raramerlcana.  Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 113;  Cat.  Cam.  Br.  Mus.  1869, 91. 
MllStela  pusllla,  De  K.  N.  Y.  Zoiil.  i.  1842, 34,  pi.  14,  f.  l.—Jleesley,  Geol.  Cape  May,  1857, 137. 
PutorlUS  |)U8lllU8,  Aud.  cfi  Uach.  Q.  N.  A.  ii.  1851, 100,  pi.  64.— M.  M.  N.  A.  1857, 159.-Suckl. 

N.  H.  W.  T.  1860,  92.— *(!»».  Kep.  Mass.  Agric.  for  1861  (1862),  154,  pi.  1,  f.  2,  4.— Maxim. 

Arch.  Naturg.  1861, —;  Verz.  N.  Am.  Siiug.  1862,  49.— ifo»»,  Canad.  Nat.  and  Geol.  vi, 

1861,  m.—Mcrriam,  Uep.  U.  S.  Geol.  Siirv.  Terr.  1872,  661  (Idaho).- ^ww*.  Bull.  Minn. 

Acad.  Nat.  Scl.  1874, 69. 
Pntorlus  •' f Icognani ",  iJav    ZoiJl.  Beechey's  Voy.  1839, 10*  (err.). 
Common  Weesel,  Penn.  Hist.  (^uad.  1781,  no.  193;  Arct.  Zoiil.  i.  1784,  75,  no.  2.5. 

Hab. — In  America,  tbo  northern  portions  of  tiic  United  States  and  north- 
ward.   Enrope  and  Asia,  northerly. 


CHARACTERS  OF  PUTORIUS  VULGARIS. 


103 


Si'KCiFiC  ciiAUACTEHS. — Very  small;  lougthof  hoadund  body  (5  or  8  iuohes; 
of  tail-vertebrm  2  inches  or  less ;  tail-vertebne  about  one-fourth  or  less  of 
the  head  and  body;  tail  slender,  cylindrical,  pointed  at  tip,  which  is  con- 
color  or  not  obviously  black  ;  under  parts  white,  rarely,  if  ever,  tinned  with 
sulphury;  coloration  otherwise  as  in  P.  erminea.  Caudal  vertebnu  15 
(Gerrard). 

General  characters  and  relationships  of  the  species. 

To  describe  the  general  body-colors  of  this  animal  would  be 
to  repeat, in  substance,  most  of  what  is  beyond  said  of  P.erminea. 
I  find  no  differences  susceptible  of  intelligible  description  ex- 
cepting those  given  in  the  foregoing  diagnosis,  although,  as 
usual  in  this  genus,  there  is  considerable  individual  variation 
in  the  shade  of  the  mahogany-brown  upper  parts,  in  the  details 
of  the  line  of  demarcation  with  the  white  of  the  under  parts, 
and  in  the  color  of  the  feet,  which  appear  to  be  indifferently 
like  the  back  or  like  the  belly.  I  do  not  observe,  however,  in 
any  of  the  specimens  before  me,  that  the  under  parts  are  nota- 
bly tinged  with  sulphury  yellow,  as  is  frequently  or  usually  the 
case  with  P.  erminea.    They  are  quite  purely  white. 

The  points  of  this  animal  to  which  attention  should  be  di- 
rected in  comparison  with  its  ally,  P.  erminea,  are  the  general 
dimensions  and  the  color  of  the  tail.  This  member  is  both  abso- 
lutely and  relatively  shorter  than  in  P.  erminea;  it  is  cylin- 
drical, very  slender,  and  usually  terminates  in  a  point,  without 
the  slightest  bushy  enlargement.  In  most  specimens,  as  in  all 
the  European  examples  I  have  seen,  there  is  no  black  whatever 
at  the  end  of  the  tail ;  on  the  contrary,  the  tip  is  frequently 
mixed  with  a  few  white  hairs.  In  other  specimens,  however, 
the  end  of  the  tail  is  dusky,  as  in  No.  0401,  from  the  Yukon 
{Kennicott) ;  while  in  Xo.  3310,  from  Oregon  ( Wayne),  the  tip 
is  quite  blackish.  The  tail-vertebnu  rauge  from  rather  less 
than  an  inch  in  length  to  full  two  inches,  if  not  a  trifle  more, 
though  the  latter  dimension  seems  to  be  rarely  reached ;  the 
terminal  pencil  of  hairs  from  )f  to  '^.  According  to  Gerrard, 
there  are  fewer  (15)  caudal  vertebrie  than  in  P.  erminea. 

Accounts  of  authors  are  surprisingly  at  variance  in  assigning 
dimensions  to  tliis  animal.  De  Kay  says  in  one  place  12-13 
inches  (nose  to  end  of  tail),  but  this  is  probably  a  slip  of  the 
pen,  for  his  detailed  measurements  amount  to  8.80  for  head  and 
body  and  1.80  for  tail-vertebrio ;  Audubon,  8 ;  Bachman  gave 
7  inclios,  the  tail-vertebne  2.  Baird  gives  0 ;  the  tail  from  0.83 
to  1.00;  the  head,  1.4.1;  fore  foot,  0.58;  hind  foot,  0.02.    The 


104 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


i^    I 


MP   % 


f:^ 


smaller  dimensious  seem  to  be  nearer  the  average.  The  skin 
from  the  Yukoo,  above  mentioued,  probably  well  stretched, 
measures  7.50;  tail-vertebne,  1.25;  hind  foot,  1.10.  The  Ore- 
gon specimen  was  apparently  about  7  inches ;  the  tail  2.  Two 
skins  from  British  America  (4411,  Fort  Resolution,  Kennicott, 
and  4231,  Moose  Factory,  Brexler)  are  notably  smaller  and 
shorter-tailed  than  any  others  I  have  seen.  They  are  about  6 
inches  long,  the  tail-vertebrii,'  an  inch  or  less,  the  hind  feet 
about  0.75.*  They  are  also  somewhat  peculiar  in  the  intensity 
of  a  liver-brown  shade. 

With  only  such  small  and  dark-colored  specimeuvs  as  these 
last  before  us  (strictly  representing  P.  pnsUlus  of  Audubon  and 
Bachman),  there  raightbe  little  difliculty  in  distinguishing  at  least 
an  American  race;  but,  as  already  indicated,  such  distinctions 
disappear  on  examining  larger  series,  and  consequently  fail  to 
substantiate  a  geographical  race.  Whatever  minute  discrep- 
ancies may  be  noted  in  comparing  certain  American  with  cer- 
tain other  European  examples,  assuredly  these  do  not  hold 
throughout  the  series ;  and,  moreover,  the  differences  inter  se 
between  animals  of  either  continent  are  as  great  as  any  of  those 
which  can  be  detected  when  the  animals  of  the  two  continents 
are  compared.  Thus,  holding  in  my  hands  the  Yukon  speci- 
men and  No.  2290,  from  Leeds,  England,  I  find  that  I  have  in- 
contestably  the  same  species.  In  size  and  color,  these  two  are 
much  more  nearly  identical  than  Nos.  2290  and  2279,  the  latter 
being  also  from  Leeds.  The  Yukon  animal  has,  indeed,  a  bushy 
tip  to  the  tail ;  but,  again,  the  one  from  Moose  Factory  has  not. 
A  specimen  from  Scotland  (No.  1058)  has  proved  susceptible  of 
overstuffing  up  to  more  than  10  inches  for  length  of  head  and 
body  ;  but  No.  2290  was  scarcely  7  inches  long.  The  presence 
of  true  M.  vulgaris  on  our  continent  may  be  considered  estab- 
lished. So  that  the  question  practically  narrows  to  whether 
we  have  not  also  an  additional  species.  This  I  cannot  admit ; 
for  if  minute  differences  of  the  grade  allowed  to  distinguish  a 
supposed  ^^pusillus  "  be  taken  into  account,  we  must,  to  be  con- 
sistent, also  separate  from  this  latter  the  specimen  from  Oregon,! 
with  its  longer  blackish-tipped  tail,  and  so  have  three  North 

*  Reliable  European  writers  assign  a  length  of  about  8  inches  of  head  and 
body,  the  head  IJ,  the  tail  2.  The  female  is  usually  an  inch,  if  not  more, 
smaller  than  the  male. 

tThis  furnishes  a  case  parallel  with  that  of  Hesperomyti  "boylii"  and  Ff. 
"  ansterus".  There  is  a  strong  local  inllueuce  exerted  upon  various  animals 
iu  this  region. 


GEOGRAPHICAL   DISTRIBUTION   OF   P.    VULGARIS. 


105 


American  "species"  of  the  vulgaris  type,  namely,  vulgaris  as 
attested  by  the  Yukon  specimen  ;  '•'■pusillus  ",  as  by  the  Hudson's 
Bay  example  and  others ;  and  a  nameless  Oregon  species.  We 
should  obviously  be  reduced  to  this  dilemma  in  any  such  at- 
tempt to  describe  specimens  instead  of  characterizing  species. 
And  in  determining  our  species  and  races,  it  is  quite  sufiicient 
to  note  the  minor  variation^"  from  a  common  type  without  giv- 
ing the  subjects  of  such  variation  a  name. 

Nevertheless,  as  it  is  desirable  to  carry  investigations  of  the 
characters  of  animals  into  minute  particulars,  the  following 
summary  is  presented  : — 

Var.  1.  An  animal  averaging  slightly  less  than  P.  vulgaris  of 
Europe,  with  the  end  of  the  tail  blackish,    Alaska,  »SjC. 

Var.  2.  Eather  smaller  than  the  last;  the  tail  relatively  longer 
(vertebrje  about  two  inches)  and  distinctly  dusky-tipped.  Ore- 
gon and  Washington  Territories. 

Var.  3.  Very  small — about  six  inches  long;  tail-vertebraj  one 
inch  or  less;  color  darker  than  in  P.  vulgaris,  but  tail  concolor. 
Hudson's  Bay,  &c. 

Geographical  distribution. 

The  area  over  which  this  species  turns  white  in  winter  may 
be  approximately  deduced  from  the  accounts  of  various  au- 
thors. This  is  nearly  coincident  with  what  is  now  know^n  of 
the  American  range  of  the  animal.  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  states  that 
it  turns  in  northern  New  England,  but  not  so  far  south  as 
Massachusetts,  where  the  change  sometimes,  but  not  always, 
occurs  to  P.  erminea.  Dr.  De  Kay  denies  any  change  in  New 
York,  though  I  suspect  this  may  not  hold  for  the  northern 
mountainous  portions  of  the  State.  According  to  Maximilian, 
the  change  takes  place  in  the  region  he  explored,  as  it  doubt- 
less does  in  all  higher  latitudes. 

The  range  of  the  Least  WeavSel  extends  entirely  across  the 
continent  on  this  hemisphere ;  but  its  north  and  south  disper- 
sion are  less  definite,  in  the  present  state  of  our  knowledge. 
To  the  northward,  Richardson  formerly  limited  its  extension 
to  the  Saskatchewan;  but  my  specimens,  from  the  Yukon, 
Fort  Resolution,  and  Hudson's  Bay,  largely  extend  the  sup- 
posed range,  and  I  infer  that  the  animal  is  generally  distrib- 
nted  in  British  America  and  Alaska.  Audubon's  examples 
were  from  the  Oatskills  and  Long  Island;  and  this  author 
alludes  to  others  from  Lake  Superior.    The  Bed  River  and 


ii 


'W 


4 


I 


ik  n 


|i 


lU 


\i^. 


106 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELIDiE. 


Ul)i)tr  Missouri  regions,  Oregon  and  Washington  Territory, 
are  other  recorded  localities.  According  to  Mr.  Allen,  it  is 
rather  rare  in  Massachusetts — much  more  so  than  P.  erminea. 
The  total  lack  of  citations  of  the  species  from  Southern  or  even 
Middle  districts  in  the  United  States  is  in  evidence,  though  of 
a  negative  character,  of  the  geographical  distribution  at  pres- 
ent assigned. 

Habits. 

Our  accounts  of  the  habits  of  this  animal  are  lamentably 
meagre;  nor  can  I  add  to  them  from  personal  observation. 
De  Kay  says  it  is  by  no  means  a  rare  animal,  but  one  difficult 
to  capture;  that  it  feeds  on  mice,  insects,  young  birds,  eggs, 
&c.,  and  possesses  all  the  rapacity  characteristic  of  the  tribe. 
Audubon  repeats  this,  in  substance,  with  the  inference  that, 
owing  to  its  small  size,  it  would  not  be  mischievous  in  the 
poultry-house,  and  would  scarcely  venture  Lv  attack  a  full- 
grown  Norway  Eat. 

In  this  dearth  of  facts  respecting  the  animal  in  America,  we 
turn  to  other  authors.  One  of  the  most  particular,  and  at  the 
same  time  interesting  and  apparently  reliable  accounts,  is  that 
given  by  Thomas  Bell  (who  was  evidently  familiar  with  the 
animal)  in  the  work  above  cited.  Comparing  its  habits  with 
those  of  the  Stoat,  Bell  finds  them  considerably  distinct, 
and  believes  that  the  accusations  current  against  the  Weasel 
should  mostly  be  laid  rather  at  the  door  of  the  Stoat.  He 
continues: — 

"It  is  not  meant  to  be  asserted  that  the  Weasel  will  not, 
when  driven  by  hunger,  boldly  attack  the  stock  of  the  poultry 
yard,  or  occasionally  inak<  free  with  a  young  rabbit  or  sleep- 
ing partridge  ;  but  that  its  usual  prey  is  of  a  much  more  igao- 
ble  charactei  is  proven  by  daily  observation.  Mice  of  every 
description,  the  Field  and  Water  Vole,  rats,  moles,  and  small 
birds,  are  their  ordinary  food ;  and  from  the  report  of  unpre- 
judiced observers,  it  would  appear  that  this  pretty  animal 
ought  rather  to  be  fostered  as  a  destroyer  of  vermin,  than  ex- 
tirpated as  a  noxious  depredator.  Above  all,  it  should  not  be 
molested  in  barns,  ricks  or  granaries,  in  which  situations  it  is 
of  great  service  in  destroying  the  colonies  of  mice  which  infest 
them.  Those  only  who  have  witnessed  the  multitudinous  num- 
bers in  which  these  little  pests  are  found,  in  wheat-ricks  espe- 
cially, and  have  seen  the  manner  in  which  the  interior  is 
drilled,  as  it  were,  in  every  direction  by  their  runs,  can  at 


HABITS    OF   THE    WEASEL. 


107 


all  appreciate  the  amoani  of  their  depredationa ;  and  surely 
the  occasional  abduction  of  a  chicken  or  duckling,  supposing 
it  to  be  even  much  more  frequently  chargeable  against  the 
Weasel  than  it  really  is,  would  be  but  a  trifling  set  off  against 
the  benefit  produced  by  the  destruction  of  those  swarms  of 
little  thieves. 

"  The  Weasel  climbs  trees  with  great  facility,  and  surprises 
birds  on  the  nest,  sucks  the  eggs,  or  carries  off  the  young.  It 
lias  been  asserted  that  it  attacks  and  destroys  snakes;  this, 
however,  I  believe  to  be  entirely  erroneous.  I  have  tried  the 
experiment  by  placing  a  Weasel  and  a  common  snake  together 
in  a  large  cage,  in  which  the  former  had  the  opportunity  of 
retiring  into  a  small  box  in  which  it  was  accustomed  to  sleep. 
The  mutual  fear  of  the  two  animals  kept  them  at  a  respectful 
distance  from  each  other;  the  snake,  however,  exhibiting  quite 
as  much  disposition  to  be  the  assailant,  as  its  more  formidable 
companion.  At  length  the  Weasel  gave  the  snake  an  occa- 
sional slight  bite  on  the  side  or  on  the  nose,  without  materially 
iujuriug  it,  and  evidently  without  any  instinctive  desire  to  feed 
upon  it;  and  at  length,  afcer  they  had  remained  two  or  three 
hours  together,  in  the  latter  part  of  which  they  appeared 
almost  indifferent  to  each  other's  presence,  I  took  the  poor 
snake  away  and  killed  it. 

"  Far  different  was  this  Weasel's  conduct  when  a  Mouse  was 
introduced  into  the  cage;  it  instantly  issued  from  its  little  box, 
and,  in  a  moment,  one  single  bite  on  the  head  pierced  the 
brain  and  laid  the  Mouse  dead  without  a  struggle  or  a  cry.  I 
have  observed  that  when  the  Weasel  sei/.os  a  small  animal,  at 
the  instant  that  the  fatal  bite  is  inflicted,  it  throws  its  long 
lithe  body  over  its  prey,  so  as  to  secure  it  should  the  first  bite 
fail;  an  accident,  however,  which  I  have  never  observed  when 
a  ]\rouse  has  been  the  victim.  The  power  which  the  Weasel 
lias  of  bending  the  head  at  right  angles  with  the  long  and 
flexible,  though  powerful  neck,  gives  it  great  advantage  in  this 
mode  of  seizing  and  killing  its  smaller  prey.  It  also  frequently 
assumes  this  position  when  raising  itself  on  its  hinder  legs  to 
look  around. 

"  The  disposition  which  has  been  attributed  to  the  Weasel 
of  sucking  the  blood  of  its  prey,  has,  I  believe,  been  generally 
much  exaggerated.  Some  persons  have  positively  denied  the 
existence  of  such  a  propensity,  and  my  own  observation,  as  far 
as  it  goes,  would  tend  to  confirm  that  refutation  of  the  com- 


§'•  'I' 


108 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


1 


ii 


monly  received  notion.  The  first  gripe  is  given  on  the  head, 
the  tooth  in  ordinary  cases  piercing  the  brain,  which  it  is  the 
Weasel's  first  act  of  Epicurism  to  eat  clean  from  the  skull. 
The  carcase  is  then  hidden  near  its  haunt,  to  be  resorted  to 
when  required,  and  part  of  it  often  remains  until  it  is  nearly 
putrid. 

"The  Weasel  pursues  its  prey  with  facility  into  small  holes, 
and  amongst  the  close  and  tangled  herbage  of  coppices,  thick- 
ets and  hedge-rows.  It  follows  the  Mole  and  the  Field  Mouse 
in  their  runs ;  it  threads  the  mazes  formed  in  the  wheat- 
rick  by  the  colonies  of  Mice  which  infest  it,  and  its  long  flexi- 
ble body,  its  extraordinary  length  of  neck,  the  closeness  of  its 
fur,  and  its  extreme  agility  and  quickness  of  movement,  com- 
bine to  adapt  it  to  such  habits,  in  which  it  is  also  much  aided 
by  its  power  of  hunting  by  scent — a  quality  which  it  partakes 
in  equal  degree  with  the  Sto!it.  In  pursuing  a  rat  or  a  mouse, 
therefore,  it  not  only  follows  it  as  long  as  it  remains  within 
sight,  but  continues  the  chase  after  it  has  disappeared,  with 
the  bead  raised  a  little  above  the  ground,  following  the  exact 
track  recently  taken  by  its  destined  prey.  Should  it  lose  ihe 
scent,  it  returns  to  the  point  where  it  was  lost,  and  quarters 
the  ground  with  great  diligence  till  it  has  recovered  it ;  and 
thus,  by  dint  of  perseverance,  will  ultimately  hunt  down  a 
swifter  and  even  a  stronger  animal  than  itself.  But  this  is  not 
all.  In  the  pertinacity  of  its  pursuit,  it  will  readily  take  the 
water,  and  swim  with  great  ease  after  its  prey. 

"  It  is,  however,  sometimes  itself  the  prey  of  hawks,  but  the 
following  fact  shows  that  violence  and  rapine,  even  when  ac- 
companied by  superior  streng*  h,  are  not  always  a  match  for  the 
ingenuity  of  an  inferior  enemj.  As  a  gentleman  of  the  name 
of  Pinder,  then  residing  at  Bloxworth  in  Dorsetshire,  was  rid- 
ing over  his  grounds,  he  saw,  at  a  short  distance  frc  u  him,  a 
kite  pounce  on  some  object  on  the  ground,  and  rise  with  it  in 
its  talons.  In  a  few  minutes,  however,  the  kite  began  to  show 
signs  of  great  uneasiness,  rising  rapidly  in  the  air,  or  as  quickly 
falling,  and  wheeling  irregularly  round,  whilst  it  was  evidently 
endeavoring  to  force  some  obnoxious  thing  from  it  with  its  feet. 
After  a  short  but  sharp  contest,  the  kite  fell  suddenly  to  the 
earth,  not  far  from  where  Mr.  Pinder  was  intently  watching  the 
manoeuvre.  He  instantly  rode  up  to  the  spot,  when  a  Weasel 
ran  away  from  the  kite,  apparently  unhurt,  leaving  the  bird 
dead,  with  a  hole  eaten  through  the  skin  under  the  wing  and 
the  large  bloodvessels  of  the  part  torn  through.    ... 


SYNONYMY  OF  PUTORIUS  ERMINEA. 


109 


"  The  female  Weasel  ....  brings  forth  four,  or  more  fre- 
quently five  youug,  and  is  said  to  have  two  or  three  litters  in  a 
year.  The  nest  is  composed  of  dry  leaves  and  herbage,  and  is 
warm  and  dry,  being  usually  placed  in  a  hole  in  a  bank,  in  a 
dry  ditch,  or  in  a  hollow  tree.  She  will  defend  her  young  with 
the  utmost  desperation  against  any  assailant,  and  sacrifice  her 
own  life  rather  than  desert  them ;  and  even  when  the  nest  is 
torn  up  by  a  dog,  rushing  out  with  great  fury,  and  fastening 
upon  his  nose  or  lips." 

The  signification  of  the  name  'Weasel  \  or,  as  it  is  also  some- . 
times  written,  ^WeeseV,  is  obscure.  Webster  states  that  he 
does  not  know  the  meaning,  but  observes  that  the  German 
hciese^  is  a  meadow.  Von  Martens,  as  quoted  on  p.  26,  dis- 
cusses the  subject  in  its  philological  bearings.  The  name 
'Weasel'  in  strictness  should  pertain  to  the  present  species,  as 
distinguished  from  its  various  larger  allies,  as  the  Stoats  and  Fer- 
rets ;  but  it  has  come  to  have  rather  a  generic  application  to  the 
various  species  of  the  same  immediate  group. 

The  fiitoat  oi*  Ei'iiiiiic. 


Pntorliift  (Oale)  ermlnea. 

Platk  VI,  Figs.  1, 3, 5, 6, 7. 

(a.  General  references.) 

Mus  poiitlrus,  quem  hodle  vocant  nermelmn,  Agric.  "De  Auim.  Subter.  1614, 33". 

MUitteIn  rnndlda,  Sehiveackf.  "  Theriotroph.  1603, 118  ". 

.Uustela  Candida  In  extrema  caud&  niKrIcans,  J.{(2(oti.  "Quad.  Digit  1645, 310,  fig ". 

Mustela  alpina  Candida,  Wagn.  "  Hist  Nat.  Helvet  16d0, 180' . 

Mustela  Candida  «.  animal  Ermlneum  recenUorum,  Ray,  "  Syn.  Qnad.  1693, 198  ". 

Mustela  alba,  itzacz. "  PoIod.  nai,  235  ". 

Mustlela  caudK  aplce  atro,  Linn.  Fn.  Sueo.  Ist  ed.  1746, 3,  uo,  90. 

Mustela  Candida  «.  ermlneum,  Linn.  Syst.  Nut.  eds.  6tli,  7th,  1748, 5,  no.  6. 

Mustela  armelllna,  Klein,  "Quad.  1751, 63  ". 

Mustela  nivea  auribus  augustls,  caudie  aplce  nigro,  27(2<,  "  Hist  Anim  1752, 548  ". 

.Mustela  hieme  alba,  testate  supra  rutlla  Infra  alba,  caudie  aplce  nlgru.  Bris$.  Qaad. 

1756,243. 
Mustela  ermlnea,  Linn.  Mas.  Adolph.  Frid.  Ist  ed.  1754,  5 ;  S.  X.  i.  lOtli  ed.  1758,  46,  no.  0 ; 
Fq.  Suec.  2d  ed.  1761, 6,  na  17 ;  Syst.  Nat.  12tli  ed.  i.  1766,  68,  no.  10.— ffottt.  Katnurl. 
Hist.  iii.  1761, 206,  pi.  14,  f.  5.— 5.  O.  Gmel.  Reise,  ii.  1770,  pi.  23  {ermitieum  majut).— 
iliill.  Zool.  Dan.  Prod.  1776,  3,  no.  U.-Erxl.  Syst  An.  1777,  474,  no.  13.— Sehreb.  Siiug. 
iii.  1778,  496,  pi.  137,  A,  B.—Zimm.  Oeogr.  Gescb.  ii.  1780, 308,  no.  205.— &m.  S.  N.  i.  1768, 

98,  no.  10.— Herm.  Obs.  Zool.  45.— Beehtt.  Naturg.  i. ,  797.— Turt.  S.  N.  i.  1806, 61.— 

J'all.  Zoog,  B.-A.  1. 1831 ,  90,  no.  31  {ermineum).—De»m.  Mamm. i.  1820, 180,  no.  277 ;  Nonv. 

Diet,  xix,  37«|  Encj-.  M6th.  pi.  83,  f.  2,  3.—Fr.  Ow«.  Diet  Sci.  Nat  xiix,  1823,250.— 

Is.  (/eo/.  Diet  Class.  X.  212.— ie»«.  Man.  1827,  HS.—Fiseh.  Syn.  1829, 222.— J'ieMi.  Br. 

.       An.  1828, 13.— J'en.  Br.  Vert  1835, 13.— BeH,  Br.  Qaad.  1837, 148 ;  2d  ed.  1874,  191,  flg.— 

Srlys-L.  Fn.  Belg.  1843,  IQ.—Gray,  List  Mamm.   Br.   Mus.   1843,  65 Sekim,  Syn. 

Mamm.  i.  1844,  di'i.-Schrenek.  Reise  Amnrl. ,  4Q.—0ieb.  Saug.  1855, 781.— Gerr.  Cat. 

Bones  Br.  Mus.  1863,  93.—0rUl,  Zool.  Gart  iii.  1862, 238.— Oray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865,  111;  Cat. 
Carn.  Br.  Mus.  1869. 88. 


rf  i' 


110 


NORTH   AMERICAN    J^USTELIDiE. 


I;i 


Mustela  ermlnea  n.  mtl\a,  h.  hyberna,  Qm.  S.  N.  i.  1786,  OS,  nos.  10 a,  lOb. 

VIverra  ermlnea,  Shaw,  Uen.  Zoiil.  i.  1800,  426,  pi.  90. 

PutoriUH  ermlnea,  Onf.  An.  Kliiuil  v.  1827, 123,  no.  :UX—Owen,  Br.  Fobs.  Mamm. ,  116, 

f.  40,  41,  42  (skull).— Bca/idi.  Wirb.  Kur.  N.  K.  KushI. ,  24. 

FCBtorlus  ermlnea,  Kfj/n.  <C  Blag.  Wirb.  Kur.  1H40,  OO,  no.  185 Bias.  Wirb.  Doutschl.  1857, 

^2S.— jacket,  Zool.  Oart.  xiv.  1874,  450  (albino). 
ArmellnuH,  Oesn.  Quad.  l.^Sl,  852. 
Hcrmvlinus,  Schejf.  Lappou.  1673, 343. 

HermellaenuH,  OhatM.  Exercit  l(i77, 30.— /o)i«<.  Thoatr.  1755,  l.'JS. 
Hermlne,  Oharlev.  Nouv.  France,  ili.  1744,  134.— Bjim.  Quad.  1756,  243,  no.  H.—Buf.  Hist. 

Nat.  vii.  240 ;  Diet.  Antra.  iL  iiO.— French. 
Hermelln,  Hell.  Vierf.  Tliioto,  1757,  453.— A',  (i.  dm.  Roiso,  ii.  192,  pi.  23,  iii.  370.— /'««.  Relse, 

1771,  129.— JMcf.  Huff.  Vierf.  iv.  lOB,  pi.  67.— .Vui/., Natursyst.  i.  1773, 274,  pi.  14,  f.  5.— 

Stell.  Kaintscli.  1774,  Ii5.-Maiteng,  Zool.  Gart.  xi.  1870,  p.  278  (philological). 
Hermyn-Wczel,  HotUt.  Nat.  Hist.  Dieren,  ii.  1761, 206,  pt.  14,  f.  5.—Belgic, 
Ermellino,  Scatag.  Anim.  Quad.  ii.  pi.  74,  H(f.  from  Buffou.— /fa?i«/i. 

Stoat,  Ermine,  Venn.  Brit.  Zoiil. ,  Si.—KiiglM. 

Roselet  (summer),  i'/vuc/i.- Armlilu,  Armelinu,  5/>r(ui8ft.— Armellino,  Italian.— lekatt, 

Swedish.— UrotMntay,  Polwh flornostal,  Itusnian. 

(b.  American  references.) 
a.  erminca. 

Mustela  ermlnea,  Forst.  Phil.  Trans.  Ixii.  1772,  Vi'i.—lLirlan,  Fn.  Amer.  182.5,  fa.—Oodmnn, 
Am.  X.  U.  L  1831,  \m.—Thompa.  X.  IX.  Verm.  185;t,  31.— £f«H,  Canad.  Nat.  and  Geol.  vi. 
1861, 295. 

.MuHtcIa  erminca  mr.  amcrlrana,  Qray,  V.  Z.  S.  1865,  ill  j  Oat.  ("am.  Br.  Mus.  1869, 89. 

PutoriUH  ermlnea,  A»d.  dt  Bach.  Q.N.  A.  ii.  1851,56,  pl.59.— ?  Wood.  Sitgr.  Rep.  1853,44 
(Indian  Territory).— Aii.  Bull.  M.  C.  Z.  i.  1870, 167  (critical).— iJi7rt«flr«,  Canad.  Nat.  and 
Geol.  ii.  18.57,  45,'i  (biographical).- AMt'H,  Pr.  Bost.  Soo.  N.  H.  xiii.  1869, 183. 

PutorlUS  noveboracensls,  De  Kay,  Rep.  N.  Y.  Survey,  1840, 18;  N.  Y.  Zool.  ii.  1842, 36,  pi.  12, 
f.  2  (winter)  and  pi.  14,  f.  2  (summer).— £/n.mo/w.  Rep.  Quad.  Mase.  1840,45. — Bd.'M. 
N.  A.  1857, 166,  pi.  36,  f.  3  (skull).— £■<;«»».  Tr.  111.  State  Agric.  Soc.  1853-4,  .578.— itoox, 
Canad.  Nat.  and  Geol.  vi.  1861,  441.— Maxim.  Ardi.  f.  Naturj;.  1861,  iiO.—  Verz.  N.  A. 

SiiuK.  1862,  44 Gitpin,  Tr.  Nov.  Scot.  Inst.  ii.  1870,  1.5,  5\).—Sam.  Ann.  Rep.»Ma88. 

Agrio.  tor  1861, 1862, 156,  pi.  1,  f.  1.— Amc»,  Bull.  Minn.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  1874, 69. 

(6.  eicoona7ii.) 

Mustcia  (I'utorlus)  ermlnea,  Tft'cA.  F.  B.  A.  i.  1829, 46. 

Mustela  ermlnea,  Thomps.  N.  IT.  Vermouth  1853,  31. 

Mutitela  cirognani,  Bp.  Charlesw.  Mag.  ii.  1838,  37;   Fn.  Ital.  1838,  sub.  M.  buccamtla.— 

Wiegm.  Arch.  1839,  4-23.— Gray,  Cat.  Mamm.  Br.  Mus.  195. 
PutoriU!^  l-tCOgnaul,£(/.  M.  N.  A.  1857,  IfH.—SuckU'y,  P.  R.  R.  Rep.  xii.  pt.  ii.  1859,  9i.— Gilpin, 

Tr.  Nov.  Scot.  Inst.  ii.  1870, 13,  59.— Sciwi.  Aun.  Rep.  :Ma8s.  Agric.  for  1861, 1862,  pi.  1,  f.  6. 
Mustela  richardsoni,  Bp.  Charlesw.  Mag.  ii.  1838, 38  (based  on  Richardson).- G/a^/,  P.  Z.  S. 

1865, 112:  Cat.  Cam.  Br.  Mus.  1869, 90. 
PutorlUN  richardsoni,  liich.  Zool.  Beechey's  Voy.  1839, 10*.— Bd.  M.  N.  A.  1857,  Idi.— Gray, 

Cat.  Mamm.  Br.  Mus.  195.— Sam.  Rep.  Mass.  Agric.  for  1861, 1862, 155,  pi.  1,  f.  3, 5,  l.—Rosn, 

Canad.  Nat.  and  Geol.  vi.  1861 ,441.—  Gilpin,  Tr.  Nov.  Scot.  Inst.  ii.  1870, 1559.— ( 1)  Stev.  U. 

S.  Geol.  Surv.  Terr.  1870,  461  (Wyoming).— A»ne«,  Bull.  Minn.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  1874, 69. 
Mustela  fusca,  Aud.  di  Bach.  J.  A.  N.  S.  P.  viii.  pt.  ii.  1842, 288.— /)e  Kay,  N.  Y.  Z.  i.  1842,  35 — 

TTaf/n.  Wiegm.  Arch.  1843,  Bd.  ii.  32.  .  /v.     .,  .  >•  < 

.Mustela  (tlale)  fusca,  Schinz,  Syn.  Mamm.  i.  1844, 343.  .:''*" 

Putorlus  fUSCUiS,  Aud.  <£•  Baeh.  Q.  N.  A.  iii.  1853, 234,  pi.  148. 
Putorlus  agills,  Aud.  a-  Back.  Q.  N.  A.  iii.  1853, 184,  pi.  140.— £e»n.  Tr.  Illinois  State  Agric. 

Soc.  for  1853-4, 1855,  578  (Illinois). 
Putorius  kanei,  Bd.  M.  N.  A.  1857. 172  (Kamtschatka  aud  Siberia). 
Putorlus  ermlnea  var.  kanel,  Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865,  in  :  Cat.  Cam.  Br.  Mus.  1869, 89. 

Hab. — ArctogHiii :  Europe,  Asia,  aad  America,  north  to  the  limit  of  exist- 


CHARACTERS  OF  PUTORIOUS  ERMINEA. 


ni 


ence  of  torreHtrial  Maininala.  In  America,  south  to  very  nearly  the  soutberu 
border  of  the  United  Htateti,  but  no  opeoiiuens  seen  from  the  Gulf  States, 
New  Mexico,  Arizona,  or  Southern  -California.  Tiie  range  meets  that  of  P. 
hraailienxin,  which  conducts  the  genus  into  South  America. 

Spkcii'ic  characters. — Length  of  head  and  body  8-11,  of  tener  U-IO  inches  ; 
of  tail-vertebrai  2-5  inches,  averaging  3J-4,  only  exceptionably  passing  the 
tirst-named  limits.  Tail  ut  all  seasons  brushy,  conspicuously  black-tipped 
for  i-jf,  generally  about  if,  its  total  length.  In  suuuner,  dull  mahogauy- 
browu  above,  pale  sulphury-yellow  below ;  in  winter,  in  most  regions  pure 
white  all  over  except  the  black  end  of  the  tail,  tinged  in  places  with  sul- 
phury-yellow.   Caudal  vertebrio  17  or  18  {Gerrard). 

Discussion  of  specific  characters  and  relationships. 

In  entering  upon  the  subject  of  the  Ermines,  the  following 
pricmonenda,  which  will  be  attempted  to  be  proven  in  the 
course  of  the  article,  will  assist  to  an  appreciation  of  the 
points  of  the  discussion  : — 

1.  The  Ermines  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America  are  speciti- 
cally  identical. 

2.  None  of  the  supposed  characters  which  have  been  relied 
upon  to  separate  them  have  any  exi.stence  in  nature  except  as 
peculiarities  of  individual  specimens  examined. 

3.  The  American  Ermines  are  of  two  forms  according  to  size 
alone,  which  in  the  extremes  stand  widely  apart,  but  which 
grade  insensibly  into  each  other. 

4.  Within  certain  limits  (to  bo  hereafter  defined),  length  of 
the  whole  animal,  length  of  tail,  both  absolutely  and  relatively 
to  that  of  body,  aiid  length  of  the  black  portion,  either  abso- 
lutely or  relatively  to  that  of  the  tail,  are  utterly  fallacious  as 
a  means  of  specific  diagnosis. 

5.  No  question  of  coloration,  of  stoutness  of  body,  of  shape 
of  ear,  of  furriness  of  feet,  of  character  of  pelage,  and  the  like, 
can  enter  into  the  question,  since  such  details  are  proven  fortui- 
tous circumstances  of  sex,  age,  season,  locality,  or  merely  normal 
individual  variability. 

I  have  before  me  a  considerable  suite  of  specimens  of  the 
Ermine,  taken  at  various  seasons  in  Great  Britain,  France, 
Germany,  Sweden,  Siberia,  and  Kamtschatka,  together  with 
an  immense  collection  from  all  portions  of  North  America 
inhabited  by  the  animal.  I  may  therefore  set  forth  my  conclu- 
sions without  hesitation.  The  Ermine  is  the  same  animal  in 
Europe,  Asia,  and  America.  Kespecting  the  various  trivial  and 
insignificant  distinctions  which  Gray  and  others  have  sought 
to  establish,  upon  obviously  insufficient  material  and  inadequate 


112 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID.E. 


i' 


»■:% 


H"-'  !?■'' 


¥W 


investigation,  it  may  be  stated  unequivocally  that  they  fail  as 
bases  of  speciflc  or  even  varietal  separation.  Not  that  the 
alleged  trifling  difterences  do  not  exist ;  I  can  find  them  all  and 
others  besides :  but  they  occur  equally  in  the  specimens  from 
all  countries,  are  not  in  the  least  correlated  with  any  supposed 
geographical  limits,  and  are,  in  short,  an  expression  merely  of 
the  normal  individual  variability  of  the  animal.  As  perfect 
duplicates  as  I  ever  examined  came  from  Alaska  and  Northern 
Europe  respectively:  in  all  those  nice  points  of  pelage,  shades 
of  color,  &c.,  which  the  practiced  eye  recognizes,  they  are 
more  exactly  alike  than,  for  example,  several  specimens  from 
England  and  France  are  among  themselves.  Every  point  which 
has  been  seized  upon  to  separate  an  American  from  the  Old 
World  animal  is  nullified  by  sufticient  series  of  specimens. 

In  seeking  either  resemblances  or  diflFerences  in  the  nicer 
minor  points,  we  must  not  look  at  the  animals  as  limited  by 
certain  continental  areas,  nor  in  any  way  by  longitude  :  experi- 
ence proves  that  this  would  be  useless.  A  creature  of  thoroughly 
and  conspicuously  circumpolar  distribution,  extending  probably 
as  near  the  pole  as  any  land  Mammal,  it  is  modified,  wheu 
changed  at  all,  by  latitude,  as  expressed  in  the  climate  to  which 
it  is  subjected,  state  of  its  food-supply,  &c.  These  points  are 
thoroughly  understood  in  the  commercial  world  by  those  whose 
wits  are  sharpened  by  their  pecuniary  interests;  and  it  is 
surprising  that  some  naturalists  have  failed  to  appreciate  them. 

The  existence  in  North  America  of  the  true  Ermine  being 
established,  there  yet  remains  the  question  whether  there  be 
not  also  in  this  country  other  species  of  the  same  type,  for  we 
must  not  hastily  assume  that,  because  we  have  the  true  Er- 
mine, all  our  other  Stoats  must  be  identical  with  it. 

Throwing  out  of  consideration  the  quite  different  P.  longi- 
eauda,  three  species  have  of  late  years  been  currently  recog- 
nized. These  are  the  P.  noveboracemis  of  De  Kay,  P.  richard- 
goni  of  Bonaparte  (=  agilis  Aud.  and  Bach.),  and  P.  cieognani 
of  Bonaparte  (==f  uncus  A.  and  B.).  Of  the  first-named  it  may 
be  said,  simply,  that  it  is  based  upon  the  ordinary  United  States 
animal,  of  dimensions  exactly  corresponding  to  an  average 
English  specimen,  for  instance,  and  not  otherwise  different. 
This  may  be  accepted  as  a  convenient  standard  of  comparison 
for  the  ordinary  United  States  animal,  identical  with  that  from 
corresponding  latitudes  in  the  Old  World.  The  P.  richardsoni 
of  Bonaparte  was  originally  a  mere  presumptive  attempt  to 


CHARACTERS    OF    PUTORIUS    ERMINEA. 


113 


scpanito  the  Ermine  of  America,  being  based  npon  P.  erminea 
of  Kichardson,  who  does  not  hint  at  any  supposed  distinction 
from  the  Old  Workl  animal,  and  whose  description  and 
measurements  indicate  identity  with  ordinary  P.  erminea.  Later, 
the  name  was  adopted  by  Prof.  Baird  for  specimens  from  Massa- 
chusetts and  northward,  considerably  smaller  than  the  average 
(8  inches),  but  with  proportions  of  body  and  tail  much  as  usual. 
]'.  iujUis  of  Audubon  and  Bachmau  is  obviously  the  same  as 
Baird's  richardsoni.  Specimens  from  Massachusetts  and  north- 
ward, of  about  the  same  size,  but  shorter  tail,  were  separated 
by  Baird  as  1*.  cieognani.  He  compares  richardsoni  with  cicog- 
nani  as  follows: — "This  species  is  readily  distinguished  from 
r.  cieognani  by  the  longer  tail,  the  vertebnc  alone  of  which  are 
lialf  the  length  of  the  body."  Measurements  of  the  tail-vertebrjo 
of  P.  cieognani  given  range  from  2.25  to  3.00. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  I  find  the  tails  to  present  all  the  several 
dimensions  given  by  Baird,  together  with  other  intermediate 
dimensions,  constituting  an  unbroken  series  from  the  shortest 
to  the  longest;  and  with  additional  dimensions  which  connect 
them  as  closely  with  the  largest  examples  of  "  novehoraccnsis ''. 
It  will  be  observed  from  Baird's  tables  that  the  difference 
among  the  various  examples  of  ^^  cieognani  ^^  (2.25  to  3.00  = 
0.75)  is  about  the  same  as  that  supposed  to  distinguish  rich- 
ardsoni (3.00  as  against  4.00).  In  regard  to  total  size,  the  same 
minute  gradations  are  before  me,  from  specimens  scarcely  8 
inches  long  to  others  over  10.  The  points  of  relative  lengths 
of  the  black  tip,  amount  of  white  on  the  upper  lip,  &c.,  are 
wholly  matters  of  individual  variability,  to  be  thrown  out  of  the 
discussion.  It  may  be  said  in  brief  that  the  xVmerican  Ermines 
are  inseparably  connected  by  the  most  minute  intergradations 
from  the  smallest  and  shortest-tailed  to  the  opposite  extreme. 

This  fact  ascertained,  however,  should  not  blind  us  to  the 
equally  notable  fact  of  the  existence  of  such  differences.  All 
the  points  laid  down  by  Baird  are  substantiated.  There  are 
the  larger  and  smaller  Weasels,  living  side  by  side,  in  New 
York  and  Massachusetts,  for  instance — the  one  scarcely  8  inches 
long,  with  the  tail-vertebra)  under  3,  and  the  other  11  inches, 
with  the  tail  over  5.  And  I  find  the  same  thing  to  hold  through- 
out the  country  to  the  Arctic  Ocean.  The  P.  kanei  of  Baird,  a 
type  of  which  is  before  me,  is  merely  one  of  these  smaller 
Ermines  from  Arctic  regions.       The  author  indeed  says  it 

is  about  the  size  of  the  P.  cieognani,  "  which  it  otherwise  greatly 
8  m 


Ju 


'^ 


f 


;: 


4 


114 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MITSTELID.E. 


resenibles  and  represents''.  The  point  I  make  is,  tbat  it  is  im- 
possible to  draw  any  dividing  lino  between  tlie  extremes. 
Whatever  character,  or  whatever  set  of  characters,  wo  assume 
as  definitive, is  instantly  negatived  by  sutllcient  material.  There 
is  no  dividing  line.  The  differences  may  be  relegated  to  the  cate- 
gory of  individual  variability  in  size ;  and  as  such  they  possess 
for  the  zoologist  quite  as  much  interest  as  if  they  were  "  speciffc 
characters".  To  facilitate  the  recognition  and  handling  of  this 
range  of  variation,  I  have  above  thrown  the  synonyms  in  two 
batches,  assorting  them  as  far  as  practicable  ;  though  it  must 
always  be  remembered  that  the  name  refers,  in  most  cases,  not 
to  either  extreme,  but  to  various  intermediates,  so  that  exact 
location  of  the  names  is  in  the  nature  of  the  case  impossible. 
The  smaller  Stoat  may  be  recognized,  by  those  who  desire  to 
give  it  a  name,  as  P.  cftninea  var.  vicognauL 

So  far  from  there  being  anything  remarkable  or  exceptional 
in  this,  it  seems  that  a  similar  case  occurs  in  Europe.  Though 
I  am  not  cognizant  of  any  species  based  upon  tins  distinction 
in  size,  the  specimens  before  me  indicate  the  same  range  of 
variation.  Thus,  one  from  France,  in  winter  pelage,  and  there- 
fore full-grown,  is  quite  as  small  as  typical  cicognani;  for  all 
I  can  discover,  it  is  as  nearly  identical  with  a  small  Massachu- 
setts skin  as  if  the  two  had  been  born  in  the  same  litter.* 

Those  engaged  in  investigating  the  points  at  issue  here 
should  not  fail  to  consult,  further,  Mr.  Allen's  paper  upon  the 
subject  above  quoted.  It  will  be  found  an  admirable  historical 
summary  of  the  case,  an  acute  analysis  of  imaginary  distinc- 
tions, and  a  logical  conclusion.  With  the  exception  of  the  case 
of  P.  longicauda,  which  Mr.  Allen  had  not  seen,  his  views  are 
substantially  the  same  as  those  1  have  since  been  led  to  adopt 
from  my  own  studies,  though  I  would  lay  a  little  more  stress 
upon  the  actually  existing  differences  thaa  he  was  inclined  to 
do  when  arguing  solely  figainst  that  absence  of  specific  distinc- 
tion in  which  I  wholly  agree  with  him.  I  wish  to  here  bring 
out  the  differences  as  strongly  as  he  did  the  resemblances.  Since 
the  point  at  issue  is  entirely  a  matter  of  dimensions,  relative 
and  absolute,  the  following  table  of  measurements  is  presented 
without  comment  as  a  fair  resume  of  the  whole  question : — 

*  "  Earum  inter  Auierices  auiiualia  quoqiiu  lueuiiiiit  Charlevoix  hist,  de  la 
Nouv.  France  vol.  iii.  p.  134.  Statnra  ibi  paiilo  minoro  sunt.  Sic  et  in  Dauu- 
riJB  densissimis  sylvis  occurreut  sititliainam  vix  excedentcs." — (Paixas,  Zoog. 
lionso-Jsiatka  i.lSll, 92.) 


0 
H 


a' 


5 


a 


5 


MKASUREMENTS    OP    PlITORII'H    ERMINEA. 


'iuui)JO(Iii  yt  siniBX 


a  n  i  g  2  = 

5  si  c  *  •  c  3  i*  3  o  S  i*     ^  5'     ^  . 


•a»D  JO  vi^i'il 


•.ttB[o  JO  pno  oj  oonx 


e< 


•.ttB|3 

JO    pa.)   oj    AvoqiJi 


p 


■%on}  ptiifi 


S 


s 


•jooj  aaoji 


-3 

S.I     i 

e«         t    '(B.iqojJOj^ 


o 

.4 


"l-fl 


bTiSSSi^SSt^SS 


•(jixut  : A^ 


•  11 
1^ 


^^ 


g?S2S 

-•  -  III  si  Jl 


i  O'  »«  ^  r^ 


lO  ift  O  lO    •  «  3  "3  Q  ©  tf> 
I'  11  o  i»    .  1^  i"  rt  rt  7i  Tl 


irttowvm't'coeoM'^coiotrt'r    >-rmi.^oxo 


'UBX 


o 
a 

o 
_&. 

a 


SSS12SSSSSSSSg'^?.P2S'^23 


•jndpoo 


S 


•ana 


1^ 


•9A'5£ 


•xog 


"dO* 


ga 


■jsrinina  jBajStc.io 


•dO 


•d 
a 

3 


.©< 


.  1-5  o  in  o  o  s*  a 

•  Ci  5  31  O  -H  rt  — 

!  — ■  eJ  -J  s<  si  eJ  rl 


i  n  ?» r?  si  S  S  "»■ 


•  Li  o  X  o  Q  o  Q 

•  t-  t-  I-  /.SB* 

I  o  =;■  ci  s>  o  O  c> 


o^■o^■^^"o  I'^'o'c'o'c'to'o 


:  =  ',P  :  :  :  '3  S  '3  s  t-  s  =  ;  ;  ; 


•  t-  X  'i  o  CI  rt  f 

>  Ri  n  in  o  o  3  o 


•joqnina  ^noj.ino 


S 


.a 

-3 

a 

■a 
.a 
a 

3 


115 


".^. 


i 


I 


*I1 


if ) 


! 


w. 


m 


',1  'I 


116 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


I^^ote  on  the  skull  and  teeth. 


Skull  and  teeth. — A  description  of  the  craDiuin  and  dentition 
of  this  typical  si^ecies  will  answer  well  for  that  of  tbe  subgenus 
Oale  (see  p.  99).  The  skull,  though  strong,  is  smooth  in  its  gen- 
eral superficies,  lacking  almost  entirely  the  sagittal  ridge  and 
roughness  of  muscular  attachment  which  characterize  the  crania 
of  the  larger  forms,  like  fvctidus  and  xlson  for  instance.  The 
forehead  is  turgid  and  convex  in  profile ;  the  muzzle  very  short, 
swollen,  and  nearly  vertically  truncate.  The  zygomata  are  very 
slender,  regularly  arched  throughout;  the  anterior  root  is  a 
thin  tiariug  plate,  perforated  by  a  large  foramen  anteorbitale. 
The  cranium  proper  is  peculiarly  cylindrical  rather  than  ovoidal; 
the  postorbital  constriction  is  abrupt,  though  slight.  Supra- 
orbital processes  are  moderately  developed.  The  palatal  emar- 
gination  is  slight;  the  pterygoids  send  out  a  spur  to  embrace 
the  adjacent  foramen,  and  terminate  roundly,  without  a  hamu- 
lar  process,  so  conspicuous  in  the  larger  Putorii  and  in  Mustela, 
or  with  only  a  slight  one.  The  bulhe  auditoriic  are  very  large, 
llattisli,  i)arallel  rather  than  divergent,  and  not  in  the  least 
produced  into  a  tubular  meatus;  on  the  contrary,  the  orifice  of 
the  meatus  shows  from  below  as  an  emarginatiou.  The  glen- 
oid fossie  have  so  i)rouiiuent  a  hinder  edge  that  they  seem  to 
present  forward  rather  than  downward. 

The  teeth  scarcely  furnish  occasion  for  remark,  as  they  pre- 
sent no  peculiarities.  In  a  specimen  before  me,  the  middle 
upper  premolar  of  the  right  side  has  failed  to  develop.  This 
is  rather  a  large  tooth  to  thus  abort.  Among  the  incisors 
(much  as  elsewhere  in  this  subfamily),  various  irregularities  are 
observable  in  different  specimens,  owing  to  the  crowded  state 
of  these  small  teeth.  (For  cranial  and  dental  peculiarities  as 
compared  with  longicauda,  see  beyond.) 

Description  of  the  external  characters. 

A  general  description  of  this  animal,  herewith  given,  neces- 
sarily embraces  many  points  shared  with  its  congeners.  It  may 
be  taken  in  amplification  of  the  generic  characters  already 
given,  and  serve  as  a  standard  of  comparison  for  other  species, 
in  the  several  accounts  of  which  a  repetition  of  non-essential 
specific  characters  is  by  this  means  avoided. 

In  general  form,  the  Stoat  typifies  a  group  of  carnivorous 
Mammals  aptly  called  'vermiform',  in  consideration  of  the  ex- 
treme length,  tenuity  and  mobility  of  the  trunk,  and  shortness 


■ 


CHARACTERS  OF  PUTORIUS  ERMINEA. 


117 


of  the  limbs.  This  elongation  is  specially  observable  in  the 
neck,  the  head  being  set  exceptionally  far  in  front  of  the  shoul- 
ders. The  trunk  is  nearly  cylindrical;  it  scarcely  bulges  iu 
the  region  of  the  abdominal  viscera,  slopes  a  little  over  the 
haunches,  rises  slightly  about  the  shoulder  muscles,  is  a  little 
contracted  behind  these;  the  neck  is  but  little  less  in  calibre 
than  the  chest.  The  greatest  circumference  of  body  is  little 
more  than  half  its  length. 

The  head  is  shorter  than  the  neck ;  it  is  notably  depressed, 
especially  flattened  on  the  coronal  area  and  under  the  throat ; 
it  is  broad  across  the  ears,  whence  it  tapers  with  convex  lateral 
outline  along  the  zygomatic  region,  thence  contracting  more 
rapidly  to  the  snout.  The  bulging  of  the  sides  of  the  head  is 
in  great  measure  due  to  the  bulk  of  the  temporal  and  masset- 
eric muscles,  which  form  swollen  masses  meeting  on  the  median 
vertical  line.  This  also  contributes  to  the  flattening  of  the 
frontal  outline.  The  width  of  the  head  across  the  ears  is  about 
two-thirds  its  length.  The  eyes  are  rather  smalV,  situated  mid- 
way between  the  nose  and  ears;  they  glitter  with  changing 
hues,  and  contribute,  with  the  low  forehead  and  protruding 
canine  teeth,  to  a  peculiarly  sinister  and  ferocious  physiognomy. 
The  ample  gape  of  the  mouth,  thin-lipped,  reaches  to  below  the 
eyes.  The  nasal  pad  at  the  extremity  of  the  miizzle,  is  entirely 
and  definitely  naked;  it  is  obscurely  marked  with  a  median 
furrow.  The  nostrils  are  small,  circular,  with  a  lateral  projec- 
tion below.  The  ears  are  conspicuous,  rising  high  above  the 
short  surrounding  fur ;  they  are  rounded  in  contour,  about  as 
wide  across  as  high  above  the  notch.  Most  of  the  auricle  is 
flat  and  closely  furred  both  sides.  The  rim  completes  about 
three-fifths  of  the  contour.  There  is  a  conspicuous  lobule 
reaching  half-way  up  the  border  behind.  The  concavity  of  the 
vestibule  is  slight,  naked,  but  hidden  by  a  close-pressed  pencil 
•^f  long,  upright  hairs  from  the  base  of  the  auricle  in  front,  ex- 
tending nearly  to  the  top  of  the  ear.  The  back  of  the  ear  is 
on  the  occipital  cross- line. 

Tlie  whiskers  are  few  but  long,  the  longest  reaching  far  be- 
yond the  head.  A  few  shorter,  very  slender  bristles  spring 
over  the  eye  and  on  the  malar  region. 

The  short  forelimb  is  stout,  and  not  fairly  separated  from  the 
body  much  above  the  elbow.  The  forearm  tapers  rapidly  to  the 
wrist,  causing  the  feet  to  appear  slender  in  comparison,  though 
tbey  are  really  relatively  stouter  than  in  many  unguiculate 


fiW 


i 


tM 


I 

• 


ir    ' 


," 


'•     !, 


I    £iiL:. 
* '  -ft: 

m 


'I 


'^^^Ils! 


118 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^E. 


animals.  From  the  wrist  the  feet  are  little  sliorter  than  the 
.forearm ;  they  are  broad  and  depressed.  The  3d-4th  digits  are 
sabequal  and  longest;  the  2d-5th  are  subequal  and  shorter  to 
the  extent  that  their  claws  scarcely  or  not  reach  the  base  of 
the  claws  of  the  longer  digits.  The  thumb  is  much  shorter  still. 
All  the  digits  are  alike  clawed.  The  claws  are  moderately 
developed  as  to  length,  stoutness,  and  curvature ;  though  not 
properly  retractile,  they  remain  sharp,  and  serviceable  for  climb- 
ing, though  probably  not  effective  weapons  on  the  chase.  The 
back  of  the  hand  is  always  full  furred,  the  hairs  reaching  about 
to  the  ends  of  the  claws;  the  terminal  and  marginal  hairs  have 
a  peculiar  stiff  bristly  character,  different  from  that  of  the  gen- 
eral pelage.  But  the  furring  of  the  feet,  no  less  than  the  general 
character  of  the  pelage,  is  very  largely  dependent  in  quantity 
and  quality  upon  season  and  latitude.  In  the  most  boreal 
specimens,  in  winter,  the  wiiole  foot  is  densely  hairy,  like  that 
of  a  Polar  Hare  or  Ptarmigan ;  no  trace  of  palmar  tubercles  is 
seen.  In  southern  and  summer  examples,  the  foot-pads  are 
usually  distinctly  visible ;  and  this  is  their  character :  there  are 
ten  rounded  balls  on  the  foot ;  one  at  the  end  of  each  digit  (5), 
four  on  the  palm  (9),  one  at  the  wrist  (10).  The  latter  is  far 
back,  and  nearly  median,  commonly  overhung  with  fur.  There 
is  one  at  the  har*^  of  respectively  the  1st,  2d,  and  5th  digits ; 
and  another  largei ,  like  two  bulbs  in  one,  at  the  bases  of  the 
3d  and  4th  digits.  The  four  strictly  plantar  pads  are  close 
together,  without  intervening  hairy  spaces;  that  on  the  wrist, 
like  those  on  the  ends  of  the  digits,  are  isolated. 

The  hind  limbs  repeat  the  characters  of  the  fore,  in  their 
stoutness,  taper,  and  little  discrimination  of  the  upper  portion 
from  the  trunk.  The  resemblance  extends  to  the  feet,  which 
are  almost  duplicates  of  the  hands  in  size,  shape,  and  in  rela- 
tive lengths  of  the  digits.  The  same  conditions  of  furring 
occur;  the  tuberculation  is  likewise  the  Sfime,  except  that  a 
tubercle  corresiwnding  to  the  tenth  one  above  enumerated  is 
not  found.  But  the  length  of  the  foot  from  heel  to  end  of  toes 
is  about  half  as  much  again  as  that  of  the  fore  foot. 

The  tail  is  of  moderate  length.  In  proportion  to  the  length 
of  head  and  body,  it  is  rarely  if  ever  so  short  as  in  P.  vulgaris, 
or  so  long  as  in  P.  longieauda.  The  vertebral  portion,  not  includ- 
ing that  which  runs  into  the  body  to  join  the  sacrum,  will 
probably  average  between  §  and  l  the  length  of  the  body  and 
head;  with  the  hairs,  the  proportion  is  about  }j-'j.    This  num- 


iiiV' 


CHARACTERS   OF    PUTORIUS   ERMINEA. 


119 


ber  is  cyliudrical,  with  some  etilar<?emeQt  of  the  brushy  black 
tip,  and  well  furred  throughout.  The  terminal  pencil  of  hairs, 
an  inch  and  a  half  or  two  inches  in  length,  commonly  repre- 
sents about  half  the  length  of  the  vertebral  portion,  and  more 
than  half  the  length  of  the  part  that  is  black.  But  no  other 
portion  of  animal's  frame  is  so  variable  as  this. 

Of  the  general  character  of  the  pelage  of  this  prized  "  fur- 
bearing"  animal,  it  would  be  useless  to  speak  otherwise  than  as 
a  zoologist.  Those  differences  which  the  whims  of  imperious 
fashion  render  all-important  in  the  commercial  world  have  no 
further  interest  for  us  than  inasmuch  as  they  indicate  the 
variable  conditions  resulting  from  season,  climate,  or  particular 
locality.  Nevertheless,  these  points  are  evident  to  the  prac- 
tised eye  when  not  altogether  obscured  by  the  furrier's  art. 
The  rule  is  increase  in  softness,  fineness,  and  density  w'th 
increase  of  latitude,  and  during  the  winter  in  all  latitudes. 
During  summer  and  to  the  southward,  the  fur  is  stiffer,  thinner, 
and  of  the  particular  harsh  gloss  which  comes  from  admixture 
with  longer  bristly  hairs — something  different  from  the  smooth 
soft  sheen  of  the  opposite  condition.  In  specimens  from  the 
same  regions,  there  is  also  observed  a  difference  according  to 
freshness  or  worn  condition  of  the  coat,  according  to  vigor  of 
the  animal,  and  doubtless  other  causes. 

In  its  summer  dress,  the  Stoat  is  a  good  example  of  a  "  bicolor" 
pattern  of  coloration.  The  upper  parts  are  continuously  and 
uniformly  of  one  color,  the  under  of  another,  with  strict  line  of 
demarcation  of  the  two.  The  color  above  ranges,  according  to 
locality,  season,  or  still  more  fortuitous  circumstances  (as,  for 
example,  age  of  the  particular  coat  and  health  of  the  individ- 
ual), from  a  rather  light  dull  "  yellowish  ■'  brown,  to  a  rich  dark 
mahogany  brown,  not  very  different  from  that  of  a  Muskrat  or 
Mink.  The  tail,  excepting  the  black  brush,  agrees  in  color. 
The  sh.ade  is  nearly  uniform,  though  an  intensified  dorsal  area 
may  often  or  usually  be  traced.  Below,  the  animal  is  white, 
almost  invariably  tinged  with  sulphury-yellow  —  often  of  a 
decidedly  strong  shade  of  this  color.  Exceptional  specimens 
aside,  we  may  say,  iu  round  terms,  the  animal  is  sulphury-yellow 
below — not  white,  as  in  P.  vulfiaris,  nor  salmon  nor  buffy,  as  in 
r.  longicauda  or  I*,  frenata.  The  chin,  throat,  and  insides  of 
the  legs  are  usually  excepted  from  this  sulphury  discoloration, 
being  quite  puiely  white.  The  tail  is  invariably  black-tipped 
to  the  extent  and  in  the  manner  rj ready  sufllciently  indicated. 


-il 


Ml 


m-- 


rf:? 


•■  ('■ 


120 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID/E. 


|i 


m 


Now,  as  to  the  details  of  coloration,  especially  the  lino  of 
demarcation  of  the  two  body-colors,  we  must  remember,  in  the 
beginning,  that  we  here  h;!\',  an  animal  which,  under  ordinary 
conditions,  turns  entirely  ,s  i-ie  once  every  year,  and  resumes 
its  bicolomtiou  a-  o*:'ien  •  that  consequently  we  must  expect  to 
find  sk:)s  slvowic^  i:\ .ry  possible  step  of  the  transition  ;  and 
that,  moreover,  v.alwus  odd  little  matters  of  coloration  are  cer- 
tain to  appear  in  ditferent  cases.  Taken  in  its  perfected  sum- 
mer dress  in  average  latitudes,  the  animal  ordinarily  shows  a 
lino  of  demarcation,  1>  inning  at  the  snout,  involving  the  edge 
of  the  upper  lip,  runni..^  thence  straight  along  the  side  of  the 
head  and  neck  to  the  shoulder ;  there  dipping  down  the  fore 
edge  of  the  limb  to  the  paw,  returning  on  the  opposite  border 
of  the  limb,  running  thence  nearly  straight  to  the  hind  leg, 
dipping  down  the  outside  of  this  also,  returning  to  the 
periuiijum,  there  meeting  its  fellow.  The  tail  all  around  and 
upper  surfaces  of  the  paws  are  like  the  back.  A  slight  lower- 
ing of  this  line  would  leave  the  end  of  the  muzzle  and  the 
whole  upper  lip  dark,  as  is  frequently'  the  case,  showing  how 
absurd  are  any  distinctions  based  on  "  amount  of  white  on  the 
upper  lip".  The  line  also  frequently  encroaches  upon  the  belly, 
narrowing  the  sulphury  band.  But,  as  might  be  anticipated, 
the  chief  deviations  from  this  complete  summer  dress  are  in 
the  other  direction — lessening  of  dark  area.  The  commonest 
point  here  is  whiteness  of  the  paws,  the  dark  spurs  stopping  at 
the  wrist  and  ankle.  Another  common  state  is  whiteness  of 
the  anal  region  and  under  surface  of  the  tail.  Frequently 
light  patches  reach  irregularly  up  the  sides  of  the  head,  par- 
ticularly about  the  ears.  These  points  may  be  witnessed  in 
midsummer,  and  appear  to  be  purely  fortuitous — that  is,  not 
traces  of  the  regular  change. 

Coming  now  to  this  matter  of  the  change,  we  find  it  under 
several  aspects.  I  am  not  now  speaking  of  the  mode  of  change, 
but  of  the  appearances  presented  at  different  stages.  A  fre- 
quent state  of  incipient  change  leaves  much  of  the  snout,  ears, 
legs,  and  tail,  sulphury-white,  with  considerable  elevation  of 
the  general  line  of  demarcation.  This  progresses  until  there 
may  be  a  narrow  median  dorsal  stripe  along  the  whole  length 
of  the  animal.  In  this  kind  of  change,  the  fur  of  the  dark 
parts  is  often  found  without  the  slightest  admixture  of  white, 
the  hairs  being  uniformly  as  dark  as  in  summer,  to  the  very 


CONDITIONS  OF  THE  CHANGE  OF  COLOR. 


121 


roots.  In  other  cases,  however,  with  little  or  no  restriction  of 
the  general  dark  area,  this  insensibly  lightens  bj'  progressive 
whitening  of  the  hairs  from  the  roots  outward,  at  first  appear- 
ing merely  paler  brown,  then  white  with  brown  streakiness  of 
uniform  character  all  over.  The  animal  finally  becomes  pure 
white  except  the  end  of  the  tail.  But  this  white  is  generally 
tinged  in  places,  particularly  on  the  belly  and  hind  quarters, 
with  sulphur-yellow. 

Conditions  of  the  change  of  color. 

Much  has  been  said  of  the  mode  in  which  this  great  change 
is  effected ,  not  only  in  the  case  of  the  Ermine,  but  of  the  Arctic 
Fox,Northern  Hare,  Hudson's  Bay  Lemming,  and  other  animals. 
As  I  have  not  personally  witnessed  the  transition,  I  can  only 
display  the  evidence  aftbrded  in  the  writings  of  others.  Some 
contend  that  the  change  is  rapid  and  abrupt,  resulting  in  a  few 
hours,  simply  from  lowering  of  temperature  to  a  certain  point. 
Others  argue  that  the  change  is  gradually  accomplished;  and 
of  those  favoring  the  latter  view,  some  maintain  that  the  brown 
coat  is  shed  and  a  white  one  grown,  while  others  hold  that  the 
extinction  of  pigment  is  gradually  ettected  without  a  renewal  of 
the  pelage. 

We  will  first  review  the  evidence  adduced  by  the  author 
of  Bell's  Quadrupeds  (p.  150,  seq.): — "  The  winter  change  of 
color  which  this  species  so  universally  assumes  in  northern 
climates  ....  is  effected,  as  I  believe,  not  by  a  loss  of  the 
summer  coat,  and  the  substitution  of  a  new  one  for  the  winter, 
but  by  the  actual  change  of  color  of  the  existing  fur.  It  is 
perhaps  not  easy  to  otter  a  satisfactory  theory  for  this  phenom- 
enon, but  we  may  perhaps  conclude  that  it  arises  from  a  similar 
cause  to  that  which  produces  the  gray  hair  of  senility  in  man, 
and  some  other  animals ;  of  this  instances  have  occurred  in 
which  the  whole  hair  has  become  white  in  the  course  of  a  few 
hours,  from  excessive  grief,  anxiety  or  fear ;  and  the  access  of 
very  sudden  and  severe  cold  has  been  known  to  i>roduce,  almost 
as  speedily,  the  winter  change,  in  animals  of  those  species 
which  are  prone  to  it.  The  transition  from  one  state  of  the 
coat  to  the  other  does  not  take  place  through  any  gradation  of 
shade  in  the  general  hue,  but  by  patches  here  and  there  of  the 
winter  colour  intermixed  with  that  of  summer,  giving  a  pied  cov- 
ering to  the  animal It  appears  to  be  established  that 

what  ever  may  be  the  change  which  takes  place  in  the  structure 


?v.£ 


v\ 


122 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


of  the  hair,  upon  which  the  alteration  of  colour  imiucdiately 
depends,  the  transition  from  the  summer  to  the  winter  colours 
is  primarily  occasioned  by  actual  change  of  temperature,  and 
not  by  the  mere  advance  of  the  season."  The  author  quotes 
in  support  of  his  views,  and  as  tending  to  confirm  them,  the 
observations  of  Mr.  John  Ilogg  (Loudon's  ]\rag.  vol.  v.),  and 
details  an  experiment  upon  a  Lemming  which  turned  white  by 
a  few  hours'  exposure  to  severe  cold. 

As  a  supporter  of  the  view  that  the  change  results  from 
renewal  of  the  coat  may  be  cited  the  eminent  naturalist  Mr. 
Blyth,  who  communicates  his  conclusions  to  Mr.  Bell  in  these 
terms  {op.  cit.  153) : — ''Authors  are  wrong  in  what  they  have 
advanced  respecting  the  mode  in  which  this  animal  changes 
its  color,  at  least  in  autumn;  for  in  a  specimen  which  I  lately 
examined,  which  was  killed  during  its  autumnal  change,  it  was 
clearly  perceivable  that  the  white  hairs  were  all  new,  not  the 
brown  changed  in  colour." 

Once  again  we  have  the  minute  and  detailed  observations  of 
Audubon  and  Bachman,  made  from  March  6  to  28,  upon  an 
animal  they  kept  in  confinement,  and  which  was  observed  dur- 
ing this  period  to  nearly  complete  the  change  from  white  to  the 
summer  colors.  These  authors  agree  with  Mr.  Blyth: — "We 
have  arrived  at  the  conclusion,  that  the  animal  sheds  its  coat 
twice  a  year,  i.  e.,  at  the  periods  when  these  semi-annual 
changes  take  place.  In  autumn,  the  summer  liair  gradually 
and  almost  imperceptibly  drops  out,  and  is  succeeded  by  a 
fresh  coat  of  hair,  which  in  the  course  of  two  or  three  weeks 
becomes  pure  white ;  while  in  the  spring  the  animal  undergoes 
its  change  from  white  to  brown  in  consequence  of  sheddiug  its 
winter  coat,  the  new  hairs  then  coming  out  brown." 

This  conflicting  testimony,  which  might  be  largely  added  to 
if  this  were  desirable,  is  perhaps  not  so  difiicult  to  harmonize 
as'it  appears  at  first  sight ;  nor  is  it  in  the  least  required  to 
impugn  the  credibility  of  the  witnesses  of  observed  facts.  I 
should  state  in  the  beginning,  however,  that  it  seems  to  me  to  be 
like  straining  a  point  to  find  any  analogy  between  this  periodi- 
cally recurring  change  in  a  healthy  animal  and  the  tardj'  senile 
change  coincident  with  flagging  of  the  vital  energies,  or  with 
the  sudden  pathological  metamorphosis  due  to  violent  mental 
emotions  of  a  kind  to  which /oyc  natunv  are  not  ordinarily  ex- 
posed. This  point  aside,  I  would  readily  agree  with  Mr.  Bell 
that  ^subjection  to  sudden  severe  cold  may  materially  hasten 


CONDITIONS  OP   THE   CFIANGE    OP   COLOR. 


123 


M  (I 


the  cliauge.  But  it  is  to  be  remembered  in  this  connection 
that  the  difference  in  temperature  is  necessarily  coordinated 
more  or  less  perfectly  with  the  progress  of  the  seasons,  so  that 
it  becomes  in  effect  merely  a  varying  element  in  the  periodical 
phenomena.  The  question  practically  narrows  to  this  :  Is  the 
change  coincident  with  renewal  of  the  coat,  or  is  it  independ- 
ent of  this,  or  may  it  occur  in  both  ways  f  Specimens  before 
me  prove  the  last  statement.  Some  among  them,  notably  those 
taken  in  spring,  show  the  long  W00II3'  white  coat  of  winter  in 
most  places,  and  in  others  present  patches — generally  a  streak 
along  the  back — of  shorter,  coarser,  thinner  hair,  evidently  of 
the  new  spring  coat,  wholly  dark  brown.  Other  specimens, 
notably  autumnal  ones,  demonstrate  the  turning  to  white  of  ex- 
isting hairs,  these  being  white  at  the  roots  for  a  varying  distance, 
and  tipped  with  brown.  These  are  simple  facts  not  open  to 
question.  We  may  safely  conclude  that  if  the  requisite  tem- 
perature be  experienced  at  the  periods  of  renewal  of  the  coat, 
the  new  hairs  will  come  out  of  the  opposite  color ;  if  not,  they 
will  appear  of  the  same  color,  and  afterward  change ;  that  is, 
the  change  may  or  may  not  be  coincident  with  shedding. 
That  it  ordinarily  is  n'ot  so  coincident  seems  shown  by  the 
greater  number  of  specimens  in  which  we  observe  white  hairs 
brown-tipped.  As  Mr.  Bell  contends,  temperature  is  the  im- 
mediate controlling  age^t.  This  is  amply  proven  in  the  fact 
that  the  northern  animals  always  change ;  that  in  those  from 
intermediate  latitudes  the  change  is  incomplete,  while  those 
from  farther  south  do  not  change  at  all. 

The  good  purpose  subserved  in  the  animal's  economy — in 
other  words,  the  design  or  final  cause  of  this  remarkable  alter- 
ation^ is  evident  in  the  screening  of  the  creature  from  ob- 
servation by  assimilation  of  its  color  to  that  of  the  predomi- 
nating feature  of  its  surroundings.  It  is  shielded  not  only  from 
its  enemies,  but  from  its  prey  as  well.  Another  important 
effect  of  the  whiteness  of  its  coat  has  been  noted.  Mr.  Bell 
has  clearly  stated  the  case  : — "  It  is  too  well  known  to  re(iuire 
more  than  an  allusion,  that  although  the  darker  colours  absorb 
heat  to  a  greater  degree  than  lighter  ones,  so  that  dark-coloured 
clothing  is  much  warmer  than  light  coloured,  when  the  wearer 
is  exposed  to  the  sun's  rays — the  radiation  heat  is  also 
never  greater  from  dark  than  from  light-coloui  .  surfaces,  and 
consequently  the  animal  heat  from  within  is  more  completely 
retained  by  a  white  than  by  a  dark  covering ;  the  temperature 


!|! 


ii'- 


'  I 


t  -■ii 


124 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


;  ! 


therefore  of  an  nninml  having  white  fur,  would  continue  more 
equable  than  that  of  one  clothed  in  darker  colours,  although  the 
latter  would  enjoy  a  greater  degree  of  warmth  whilst  exposed 
to  the  sun's  influence.  Thus  the  mere  presence  of  a  degree  of 
cold,  sufficient  to  prove  hurtful  if  not  fatal  to  the  animal,  is 
itself  the  immediate  cause  of  such  a  change  in  its  condition  as 
shall  at  once  negative  its  injurious  influence." 
The  latitudes  in  which  the  change  occurs  in  this  country  in- 
'•'  le  the  northern  tier  of  States,  and  the  entire  region  north- 
.d.  In  this  area,  the  change  is  regular,  complete,  and  uni- 
rsal.  Complete  change  is  also  usually  effected — but  not 
always — nearly  to  the  southern  limits  of  dispersion  in  mount- 
ainous regions.  White  winter  specimens  are  the  rule  in  Mas- 
sachusetts, New  York,  and  Pennsylvania ;  and  I  have  seen 
others,  pure  white,  from  Illinois,  Wyoming  Territory,  and  Cal- 
ifornia (Fort  Crook).  For  the  Southern  States,  from  which  I 
have  no  white  examples,  I  will  quote  Audubon  and  Bachman : — 
"  We  received  specimens  from  Virginia  obtained  in  January,  in 
which  the  colours  of  the  back  had  undergone  no  change,  and 
remained  brown  ;  and  from  the  upper  and  middle  districts  of 
South  Carolina,  killed  at  the  same  period,  when  no  change  had 
taken  place ;  and  it  was  stated  that  this,  the  only  species  of 
Weasel  found  there,  remained  brown  through  the  whole  year. 
.  .  .  Those  from  the  valleys  of  the  Virginia  mountains  have 
broad  stripes  of  brown  on  the  back,  and  specimens  from  Abbe- 
ville and  Lexington,  South  Carolina,  have  not  undergone  the 
slightest  change."  It  may  be  presumed  that  in  the  debatable 
ground  some  individuals  may  change  and  others  not,  and  that, 
again,  character  of  successive  seasons  may  make  a  difference 
in  this  respect.  . 

General  history  and  habits  of  the  species. 

For  the  meaning  of  the  name  of  this  animal,  we  may  refer 
again  to  Bell : — "  The  derivation  of  the  word  Stoat  is  very  prob- 
ably, as  Skinner  has  it,  from  the  Belgic  *  Stout',  bold;  and  the 
name  is  so  pronounced  in  Cambridgeshire  and  in  some  other 
parts  of  England  to  the  present  time.  Gwillim,  in  his  *  Dis- 
play of  Ileraldrie ',  gives  the  following  etymology  of  Ermine : — 
'This  is  a  little  beast,  lesse  than  a  Squirrell,  that  hath  his 
being  in  the  woods  of  the  land  of  Armenia,  whereof  hee  taketh 
his  name.' "  The  latter  word  is  sometimes  written  in  English 
'ermin'  or  'ermelin';  and  the  same  term  occurs  in  several 


HISTORY    AND    HAUITS    OF   THE    ERMINE. 


125 


other  languages,  as  in  the  French  'hermine',  the  Italian  '  ar- 
mellino',  the  Spanish 'arinino',  Portuguese 'anniuho',  Dutch 
'hermelyu',  German,  Danish,  and  Swedish  *  hormelin ',  and 
Armoric  '  erminicq  '.*  Barbarous  nations  of  the  northern  por- 
tions of  the  globe  would  appear  to  have  each  their  own  name 
for  an  animal  well  known  to  them  as  an  object  of  the  chase 
and  of  proQt;  names  of  very  various  signification,  according 
to  the  different  points  which  attracted  their  attention.  Thus, 
Pallas  enumerates  nearly  fifty  names,  most  of  which  have  no 
evident  connection  with  each  other.  The  technical  appellation 
of  the  animal  is  derived  from  putor,  a  bad  smell.  Fwtorius, 
proposed  as  a  substitute  for  Putorius  by  Keyserling  and 
Blasius,  has  the  same  signification.  The  name  is  highly  appro- 
priate; for  the  stench  emitted  by  the  animals,  of  both  sexes, 
is  horribly  off'ensive  at  times,  as  when  under  the  influence  of 
fear,  anger,  or  the  sexual  passion ;  it  is  only  less  penetrating 
and  more  fugitive  than  that  of  the  Skunk  itself.  It  may  be 
emitted  at  pleasure,  as  in  case  of  the  Skunk,  and  is  scarcely 
perceptible,  except  at  certain  periods,  when  the  animal  is  at 
rest.  The  source  of  the  odor  is  a  peculiar  fluid  contained  in 
special  glands  situated  about  the  anus,  opening  upon  two  con- 
ical papilliB,  one  on  each  side  of  the  anus,  just  within  the 
verge  of  the  opening.  On  slightly  everting  the  anus,  these 
papilhii  may  be  readily  perceived ;  slight  pressure  will  cause 
them  to  stand  erect,  while  at  the  same  time  the  fluid  may  be 
caused  to  spirt  several  inches  in  a  fine  spray,  or  even  trickle 
in  a  stream  about  the  parts.f 

The  female  Ermine  is  provided  with  these  glands,  the  same 
as  the  male.  She  is  much  smaller  than  the  opposite  sex;  but, 
this  and  her  sexual  characteristics  aside,  she  is  quite  identical. 
She  makes  her  home  in  an  underground  burrow,  beneath  the 
stump  of  a  tree,  under  a  pile  of  rocks,  in  a  decaying  log,  or 
the  hollow  of  a  tree  trunk,  and  brings  forth  a  large  litter. 
The  number  at  a  birth  is,  however,  very  variable ;  four  or  five 
may  be  an  average  number.  They  have  been  found  newly 
born  from  March  to  June,  according  to  latitude,  but  are  ordi- 
narily i)roduced  in  April  or  May.  In  northern  latitudes,  the 
litter  may  be  born  while  the  female  is  still  in  her  white  pelage, 
as  in  the  case  mentioned  by  Pallas ;  he  found  two  young  of  a 
white  mother,  early  in  May,  in  the  hollow  of  a  tree.    The 

•Compare  ospocially  vou  Martens,  antea,  p.  28. 

t Compare  aH<c«,  p.  12.  ,     .v  .  ? 


■f 


If 


■ .,.  > 


■  !'f 


'I        ■*! 


12f5 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^E. 


cavitj'  was  separated  into  several  compartments,  arranged 
with  some  care.  One  of  these  contained  a  heap  of  fresh  mice 
and  shrews,  another  a  quantity  of  the  rejected  skins,  feet,  and 
tails  of  these  animals.  The  nest  was  extremely  foul.  The  cry 
of  the  yonng  is  represented  by  Pallas  to  be  like  that  of  a 
newly-born  kitten.  At  the  age  often  or  twelve  days,  the  little 
animals  were  ashj-  above  and  white  beneath.  The  mother, 
courageous  in  defence  o  her  offspring,  could  scarcely  be  driven 
away,  and  followed  the  captor  of  her  brood  for  a  long  time. 
The  same  author  details  the  methods  of  capturing  Ermine  in 
Siberia — by  means  of  a  noose  set  at  the  entrance  of  their 
burrows,  of  spring-traps  (at  least  so  I  understand  by  dccipulis 
compressoriiH  incscatiH),  and  of  a  bent  stick  with  slip-kuot,  set 
off  with  a  thread  crossing  their  patnway,  and  placed  before  a 
hollow  made  in  the  snow  where  the  bait  is  put.  The  skinsj 
used  for  vestments,  were  sent,  he  says,  chiefly  to  China,  Turkey, 
and  parts  of  Europe,  being  little  used  in  Eussia,  where  the 
tails,  the  principal  ornaments,  were  reserved  by  law  as  the  ex- 
clusive perquisite  of  royalty  {privilegio  Mojestatis  reservaUc). 
The  body  was  withdrawn  from  the  skin  through  a  single  incision 
across  the  posteriors;  and  it  is  added  that  not  even  those 
tribes  ''who  eat  all  sorts  of  nasty  things"  will  consume  the 
flesh,  so  thoroughly  impregnated  is  it  with  the  fetor.  The 
weight  of  a  male  is  stated  to  be  from  five  to  eight  ounces, 
more  or  less ;  of  the  female,  scarcely  four. 

]Mr.  Hogg's  observations  on  the  British  Stoats,  in  Loudon's 
Magazine,  v.,  718  et  scq.,  as  already  mentioned,  relate  chiefly 
to  the  changes  of  pelage  as  affected  by  temperature  rather 
than  season ;  but  further  remarks,  bearing  upon  some  of  the 
habits  of  the  animal,  will  be  found  interesting: — "  Whilst  walk- 
ing along  a  footpath  in  a  tteld,  one  day  in  the  last  week  of 
December,  1831,  I  observed  a  Stoat,  or  a  Weasel,  coming  in 
the  same  path  towards  me.  I  immediately  stood  still,  and,  as 
he  approached,  I  found  that  he  carried  his  nose  in  the  same 
relative  bearing  to  the  ground,  and  was  in  the  act  of  running 
the  scent  of  some  bird,  or  other  small  animal,  exactly  after  the 
manner  of  a  dog  'on  scent',  and  in  chase  after  game.  His 
whole  attention  being  to  the  ground,  with  his  head  down,  he 
did  not  see  me  until  close  to  me,  when,  suddenly  catching 
sight  of  me,  he  turned  a  little  aside,  stopped  short,  looked  up, 
and  then  scampered  back  along  the  path,  with  his  tail  erected 
into  somewhat  of  a  carve,  from  the  black  end  of  which  I  was 


HISTORY    AND    HABITS    OF    THE    ERMINE. 


127 


l|l 


able  to  distinguish  him  Iroin  a  Weasel,  and,  bounding;  into  a 
hedge  near  the  path,  he  there  concealed  himself;  whence  ho 
would  probably  j?o  forth  again,  when  he  perceive«l  that  all  was 
safe,  and  would  perhaps  follow  up  the  scent  from  which  I 
had  disturbed  him.  1  was  thus  an  eyewitness  to  the  fact  of  a 
Stoat  being  able  to  pursue  its  prey  on  .s  ent,  and  I  have  little 
doubt  that  nature  has  given  the  sense  of  smelling,  in  a  similar 
degree,  to  the  Weasel  and  Polecat ;  which  will  therefore 
readily  account  for  their  being  so  destructive  to  game,  and 
chietly  for  their  instinct  in  tinding  the  nests  of  partridges  and 
pheasants  during  the  breeding  season. 

"...  A  Stoat  does  sometimes  take  to  swimming.  Walk- 
ing on  a  fine  evening  in  the  spring,  a  few  years  ago,  by  the 
banks  of  the  Wear,  between  Schinclitto  IJridge  and  Old  Dur- 
ham, I  noticed  an  animal  swimming  in  the  water;  and,  making 
haste  to  the  place,  which  was  just  below  the  same  bank 
whereon  I  was  walking,  I  saw  that  it  was  a  Stoat;  it  then  swam 
gently  across  the  river,  which  is  there  both  deep  and  of  con- 
siderable width,  to  the  opposite  bank,  where,  owing  to  the 
thick  brushwood,  I  lost  sight  of  it.  In  the  act  of  swimming, 
it  lifted  its  head  and  neck  well  out  of  Avater,  like  a  dog;  and 
so  differed  from  a  water  rat,  which  usually  keeps  its  head 
close  along  the  surface."  That  the  Stoat  readily  takes  to  the 
water,  and  swims  well,  has,  however,  been  long  known.  Tallas 
makes  this  statement :  "  habitat  ....  uecnon  circa  aquas, 
in  quibus  etiam  praidam  dou  illibenter  quajrit,  optime  natans", 
and  similar  testimony  is  afforded  by  the  writings  of  various 
authors.  Audubon,  however,  says  nearly  the  reverse: — "The 
Ermine  avoids  water,  and  if  forcibly  thrown  into  it,  swims 
awkwardly  like  a  cat."  But  this  should  be  taken  with  qualifi- 
cation, like  the  same  author's  further  statement,  that  the  ani- 
mal "does  not,  like  the  Fisher  and  Pine  jMarten,  pursue  its 
prey  on  trees,  and  seems  never  to  ascend  them  from  choice, 
but  from  dire  necessitj",  when  closely  pursued  by  its  impla- 
cable enemj',  the  dog."  The  Ermine  indeed  is  neither  so 
aquatic  as  its  congener,  the  Mink,  nor  so  much  at  home  on 
trees  as  the  Martens ;  but  it  has  too  frequently  been  observed 
in  such  situations  to  admit  the  doubt  that  it  both  swims  and 
climbs  with  ease  and  without  reluctance. 

The  always  pleasing  pen  of  Mr.  Wm.  Macgillivray  has  fur- 
nished us  with  the  following  general  account  of  the  habits  of 
the  Stoat  as  observed  in  Great  Britain  : — "  It  appears  that  in 


I 


:;:<l 


■i     $  ;• 


i  M 1 1* 


m- 


m 


128 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID/E. 


f^  ■ 


It 


.  f  1 1 


M 


England  guncrally  tho  Erniino  is  less  coiniuuu  than  the  Wea- 
sel; but  in  Scotland,  even  to  the  south  of  the  Frith  of  Forth,  it 
is  certainly  of  more  frecjuent  occurrence  than  that  species;  and 
for  one  Weasel  I  have  seen  at  least  five  or  six  Ermines.  It 
frequents  stony  places  and  thickets,  among  which  it  finds  a 
secure  retreat,  as  its  agility  enables  it  to  outstrip  even  a  dog 
in  a  short  race,  and  the  slimness  of  its  body  allows  it  to  enter 
a  very  small  aperture.  I'atches  of  furze,  in  particular,  afford 
it  perfect  security,  and  it  sometimes  takes  possession  of  a 
rabbit's  burrow.  It  preys  on  game  and  other  birds,  from  the 
grouse  sind  ptarmigan  downwards,  sometimes  attacks  poultry 
or  sucks  their  eggs,  and  is  a  determined  enemy  to  rats  and 
moles.  Young  rabbits  and  hares  frequently  become  victims  to 
its  rapacity,  and  even  full-grown  individuals  are  sometimes 
destroyed  by  it.  Although  in  general  it  does  not  appear  to 
hunt  by  scent,  yet  it  has  been  seen  to  trace  its  prey  like  a  dog, 
following  its  track  with  certainty.  Its  motions  are  elegant, 
and  its  appearance  extremely  animated.  It  moves  by  leaping 
or  bounding,  and  is  capable  of  running  with  great  speed, 
although  it  seldom  trusts  itself  beyond  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  cover.  Under  the  excitement  of  pursuit,  however,  its  cour- 
age is  surprising,  for  it  will  attack,  seize  by  the  throat  and 
cling  to  a  grouse,  hare  or  other  animal,  strong  enough  to  carry 
it  off;  and  it  does  not  hesitate  on  occasion  to  betake  itself  to 
the  water.  Sometimes,  when  met  with  in  a  thicket  or  stony 
place,  it  will  stand  and  gaze  upon  the  intruder,  as  if  conscious 
of  security;  and,  although  its  boldness  has  been  exaggerated 
in  the  popular  stories  which  have  made  their  way  into  books 
of  natural  history,  it  cannot  be  denied  that,  in  proportion  to 
its  size,  it  is  at  least  as  courageous  as  the  tiger  or  the  lion." 

With  a  mind  preoccupied  in  contemplation  of  the  exploits  of 
the  chase  of  great  Carnivora — those  grand  exhibitions  of  pred- 
atory instincts  on  the  part  of  some  of  the  strongest  beasts, 
one  is  apt  to  overlook,  or  at  least  to  underestimate,  the  compara- 
tive prowess  of  some  lesser  animals.  Doubtless,  tho  entomolo- 
gist would  give  instances  of  equal  courage  and  perseverance 
in  pursuit  of  prey,  of  vastly  greater  comparative  strength  and 
skill  in  its  capture,  and  superior  destructiveness.  Probably 
the  great  mass  of  insect-eating  animals — an  immense  and 
varied  host — are  in  no  whit  behind  in  this  respect.  And  in 
noting  the  instincts  and  predacious  habits  of  the  Weasels  and 
Stoats,  we  observe  that,  to  grant  them  only  equal  courage  and 


11^ 


HISTORY   AND   HAHITS   OF   THE   ERMINE. 


129 


pqnnl  comparative  i)rowe88,  wo  must  novortheless  accede  to 
them  a  wider  and  more  searching  range  of  active  operations 
against  a  greater  variety  of  objects,  uiore  persevering  and 
more  enduring  powers  of  chase,  and  a  higher  grade  of  pure 
destructiveneas,  taking  more  life  than  is  necessary  for  immedi- 
ate wants.  Tlie  great  cats  are  mainly  restricted  each  to  partic- 
nhir  sources  of  food  supply,  whi(!li  they  se(!ure  by  i)arttcular 
modes  of  attack ;  and,  their  hunger  satislied,  they  (juietly 
await  another  call  of  nature.  Not  so,  however,  with  the  Wea- 
sels. No  animal  or  bird,  below  a  certain  maximum  of  strength, 
or  other  means  of  self-defence,  is  safe  from  their  ruthless  and 
relentless  pursuit.  The  enemy  assails  them  not  only  upon  the 
ground,  but  under  it,  and  on  trees,  and  in  the  water.  Swift 
and  sure-footed, he  makes  open  chase  and  runs  down  his  prey; 
keen  of  scent,  be  tracks  them,  and  makes  the  fatal  spring 
ui)on  them  unawares ;  lithe  aiul  of  extraordinary  slenderness 
of  body,  he  follows  the  smaller  through  the  intricacies  of  their 
hidden  abodes,  and  kills  them  in  their  homes.  And  if  he  does 
not  kill  for  the  simple  love  of  taking  life,  in  gratification  of 
superlative  bloodthirstiness,  he  at  any  rate  kills  instinctively 
more  than  he  can  possibly  require  for  his  support.  I  know  not 
where  to  find  a  parallel  among  the  larger  Carnivom.  Yet  once 
more,  which  one  of  the  larger  animals  will  defend  itself  or  its 
young  at  such  enormous  odds  ?  A  glance  at  the  physiognomy 
of  the  Weasels  w«uld  suffice  to  betray  their  character.  The 
teeth  are  almost  of  the  highest  known  raptorial  character ;  the 
jaws  are  worked  by  enormous  masses  of  muscles  covering  all 
the  side  of  the  skull.  The  forehead  is  low,  and  the  nose  is 
sharp;  the  eyes  are  small,  penetrating,  cunning,  and  glitter 
with  an  angry  green  light.  There  is  something  peculiar,  more- 
over, in  the  way  that  this  fierce  face  surmounts  a  body  extraor- 
dinarily wiry,  lithe,  and  muscular.  It  ends  a  remarkably  long 
and  slender  neck  in  such  way  that  it  may  be  held  at  right 
aifgle  with  the  axis  of  the  latter.  When  the  creature  is  glan- 
cing around,  with  the  neck  stretched  np,  and  flat  triangular 
head  bent  forward,  swaying  from  one  side  to  the  other,  we 
catch  the  likeness  in  a  moment — it  is  the  image  of  a  serpent. 

In  further  illustration  of  the  character  of  the  Stoat,  I  con- 
tinue with  an  extract  from  Audubon,  which  represents  nearly 
all  that  has  appeared  to  the  point  in  this  country : — 

"  Graceful  in  form,  rapid  in  his  movements,  and  of  untiring 
industry,  he  is  withal  a  brave  and  fearless  little  fellow ;  cou- 

9m 


'fi. 


S'iii 


I  ■  ifi 


130 


NORTH   AMERICAN  MUSTELl^^. 


Ml 


'V  4' 


K 


scious  of  security  within  the  windings  of  his  retreat  among  the 
logs,  or  heap  of  stones,  he  permits  us  to  approach  lim  within 
a  few  feet,  then  suddenly  withdraws  his  head ;  we  remain  still 
for  a  moment,  and  he  once  more  returns  to  his  post  of  observa- 
tion, watching  curiously  our  every  motion ;  seeming  willing  to 
claim  association  so  long  as  we  abstain  from  becoming  his  per- 
secutor. 

"  Yet  with  all  these  external  attractions,  this  little  Weasel 
is  tierce  and  bloodthirsty,  possessing  an  intuitive  propensity 
to  destroy  every  animal  and  bird  within  its  reach,  some  of 
which,  such  as  the  American  rabbit,  the  rutted  grouse  and 
domestic  fowl,  are  ten  times  its  own  size.  It  is  a  notorious 
and  hated  depredator  of  the  poultry  house,  and  we  have 
known  forty  well-grown  fowls  to  have  been  killed  in  one 
night  by  a  single  Ermine.  Satiated  with  the  blood  of  proba- 
bly a  single  fowl,  the  rest,  like  the  flock  slaughtered  by  the 
wolf  in  the  sheepfold,  were  destroyed  in  obedience  to  a  law  of 
nature,  an  instinctive  propensity  to  kill.  We  have  traced  the 
footsteps  of  this  bloodsucking  little  animal  on  the  snow,  pur- 
suing the  trail  of  the  American  rabbit,  and  although  it  could 
not  overtake  its  prey  by  superior  speed,  yet  the  timid  hare 
soon  took  refuge  in  the  hollow  of  a  tree,  or  in  a  hole  dug  by 
the  Marmot,  or  Skunk.  Thither  it  was  pursued  by  the  Ermine 
and  destroyed,  the  skin  and  other  remains  at  the  mouth  of  the 
burrow  bearing  evidence  of  the  fact.  We  obierved  an  Ermine, 
after  having  captured  a  hare  of  the  above  species,  first  behead 
it  and  then  drag  the  body  some  twenty  yards  over  the  fresh 
fallen  snow,  beneath  which  it  was  concealed,  and  the  snow 
lightly  pressed  down  over  it ;  the  little  prowler  displaying 
thereby  a  habit  of  which  we  became  aware  ibr  the  first  time 
on  that  occasion.  To  avoid  a  dog  that  was  in  close  pursuit,  it 
mounted  a  tree  and  laid  itself  flat  on  a  limb  about  twenty  feet 
from  the  ground,  from  which  it  was  finally  shot.  We  have 
ascertained  by  successful  experiments,  repeated  more  than  ^ 
hundred  times,  that  the  Ermine  can  be  employed,  in  the  man- 
ner of  the  Ferret  of  Europe,  in  driving  our  American  rabbit 
from  the  burrow  into  which  it  has  retreated.  In  one  instance 
the  Ermine  employed  had  been  captured  onl>  a  few  days  be- 
fore, and  its  cauiue  teeth  were  filed  in  order  to  preve Jt  its 
destroying  the  rabbit ;  a  cord  was  placed  around  its  neck  to 
secure  its  return.  It  pursued  the  hare  through  all  the  wind- 
ings of  its  burrow,  and  forced  it  to  the  mouth,  where  it  could 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS   OF   THE   ERMINE. 


131 


be  taken  in  a  net,  or  by  the  band.  In  winter,  after  a  snow 
storm,  the  ruffed  grouse  has  a  habit  of  plunging  into  the  loose 
snow,  where  it  remains  at  times  for  o!ie  or  two  days.  In  this 
passive  state  the  Ermine  sometimt's  detects  ami  destroys  it. 

"Notwithstanding  all  these  mischievons  and  destructive 
habits,  it  is  doubtful  whether  the  Ermine  is  not  rather  a  bene- 
factor than  an  enemy  to  the  farmer,  ridding  his  granaries  and 
fields  of  many  depredators  on  the  product  of  his  labour,  that 
would  devour  ten  times  the  value  of  the  poultry  and  eggs 
which,  at  long  and  uncertain  intervals,  it  occasionally  destroys. 
A  mission  appears  to  have  been  assigned  it  by  Providence  to 
lessen  the  rapidly  multiplying  number  of  mice  of  various  spe- 
cies and  the  smaller  rodentia. 

"The  White-footed  Mouse  is  destructive  to  the  grains  in  the 
wheat  fields  and  in  the  stacks,  as  well  as  the  nurseries  of  fruit- 
trees.  Le  Conte's  Pine  Mouse  is  injurious  to  the  Irish  and 
sweet  potatoe  crops,  causing  more  to  rot  by  nibbling  holes  in 
them  ti:an  it  consumes,  and  Wilson's  Meadow-mouse  lessens 
our  annual  product  of  hay  by  feeding  on  the  grasses,  and  by  its 
long  and  tortuous  galleries  among  their  roots. 

"  Whenever  an  Ermine  has  taken  up  its  residence,  the  mice 
in  its  vicinity  for  half  a  mile  around  have  been  found  rapidly 
to  diminish  in  number.  Their  active  little  enemy  is  able  to 
force  its  thin  vermiform  body  into  the  burrows,  it  follows  them 
to  the  end  of  their  galleries,  and  destroys  whole  families.  We 
have  on  several  occasions,  after  a  light  snow,  followed  the  trail 
of  this  Weasel  through  fields  and  meadows,  and  witnessed  the 
inimeuse  destruction  which  it  occasioned  in  a  single  night.  It 
enters  overy  hole  under  stumps,  logs,  stone  heaps  and  fences, 
and  evidences  of  its  bloody  deeds  are  seen  in  the  mutilated  re- 
mains of  the  mice  scattered  on  the  snow.  The  little  Chipping 
or  Ground  Squirrel,  Tamiaa  Lysteri  [sc.  striatus]  takes  up  its 
residence  in  the  vicinity  of  the  grain  fields  and  is  known  to  carry 
off  in  its  cheek  pouches  vast  quantities  of  wheat  and  buckwheat, 
to  serve  as  winter  stores.  The  Ermine  instinctively  discovers 
these  snug  retreats,  and  in  the  space  of  a  few  minutes  destroys 
a  whole  family  of  these  beautiful  little  Tamiw;  without  even 
resting  awhile  until  it  has  consumed  its  now  abundant  food,  its 
appetite  craving  for  more  blood,  as  if  impelled  by  an  irresistible 
destiny,  it  proceeds  in  search  of  other  objects  on  which  it  may 
glut  its  insatiable  vampire  like  thirst.  The  Norway  rat  and  the 
Common  House  Mouse  take  possession  of  our  barus,wheat  stacks, 


If 


I'l 


132 


NORTH  AMERICAN   MUSTELIDJE. 


I  m 


mm 


and  granaries,  and  destroy  vast  quantities  of  grain.  In  some  in- 
stances the  farmer  is  reluctantly  compelled  to  pay  even  more 
than  a  tithe  in  contributions  towards  the  support  of  these  pests. 
Let  however  an  Ermine  find  its  way  into  these  barns  and  gran- 
aries, and  there  take  up  its  winter  residence,  and  the  havoc 
which  is  made  among  the  rats  and  mice  will  soon  be  observa- 
ble. The  Ermine  pursues  them  to  their  farthest  retreats,  and 
in  a  few  weeks  the  premises  are  entirely  free  from  their  depre- 
dations. We  ouQe  placed  a  half  domesticated  Ermine  in  an  out- 
house infested  with  rats,  shutting  up  the  holes  on  the  outside 
to  prevent  their  escape.  The  little  animal  soon  commenced  his 
work  of  destruction.  The  squeaking  of  the  rats  was  heard 
throughout  the  day.  In  the  evening,  it  came  out  licking  its 
mouth,  and  seemed  like  a  hound  after  a  long  chase,  much  fa- 
tigued. A  board  of  the  floor  was  raised  to  enable  us  to  ascer- 
tain the  result  of  our  experiment,  and  an  immense  number  of 
rats  were  observed,  which,  although  they  had  been  killed  in 
diftereut  parts  of  the  ^"Mlding,  had  been  dragged  together,  form- 
ing a  compact  heap. 

"  The  Ermine  is  then  of  immense  benefit  to  the  farmer.  We 
are  of  the  opinion  that  it  has  been  over-hated  and  too  indis- 
criminately persecuted.  If  detected  in  the  poultry  house,  there 
is  some  excuse  for  destroying  it,  as,  like  the  dog  that  has  once 
been  caught  in  the  sheepfold,  it  may  return  to  commit  further 
depredations;  but  when  it  has  taken  up  its  residence  under  stone 
heaps  and  fences,  in  his  fields,  or  his  barn,  the  farmer  would 
consult  his  interest  by  suffering  it  to  remain,  as  by  thus  invit- 
ing it  to  a  home,  it  will  probably  destroy  more  formidable  ene- 
mies, relieve  him  from  many  petty  annoyances,  and  save  him 
many  a  bushel  of  grain." 

The  same  author,  alluding  to  the  Weasel's  want  of  shyness, 
and  Its  ready  capture  in  any  kind  of  trap,  continues  with  a 
matter  that  may  next  interest  us — its  relative  abundance  in 
different  localities : — "  This  species  does  not  appear  to  be  very 
abundant  anywhere.  We  have  seldom  found  more  than  two  or 
three  on  any  farm  in  the  Northern  or  Eastern  States.  We  have 
ascertained  that  the  immense  number  of  tracks  often  seen  in  the 
snow  in  particular  localities  were  made  by  a  single  animal,  as 
by  capturing  one,  no  signs  of  other  individuals  were  afterwards 
seen.  We  have  observed  it  most  abundant  in  stony  rogtous ; 
in  Dutchess  and  Ontario  counties  in  New  York,  on  the  hills  of 
Connecticut  and  Vermont,  and  at  the  foot  of  the  Alleghanies 


HISTCitY   AND    HABITS    OF   THE    ERMINE. 


133 


iu  tenusylvania  and  Virginia.  It  is  solitary  in  its  habits,  as 
we  have  seldc  m  seeu  a  pair  together  except  in  the  rutting  season. 
Afa>u*^j' of  young,  hovc,  er,  are  apt  to  remain  in  the  same 
locality  until  autumn.  In  winter  they  separate,  and  we  are 
inclined  to  think  that  f.ioy  do  not  hnnt  in  couples  or  in  packs 
like  the  wolf,  but  that,  like  the  bat  and  the  mink,  each  indi- 
vidual pursues  its  prey  without  copartnership,  and  hunts  for 
its  own  benefit."  In  Massachusetts,  according  to  Allen,  it  is 
comparatively  common.  I  myself  saw  none  in  Labrador  during 
my  summer  visit ;  but  it  must  be  quite  abundant,  to  judge  from 
the  number  of  skins  I  saw  in  possession  of  the  natives  at  various 
places.  According  to  Richardson,  "  Ermine-skins  formed  part 
of  the  Canada  exports  in  the  time  of  Charlevoix ;  but  they  have 
so  sunk  in  value,  that  they  are  said  not  to  repay  the  Hudson's 
Bay  Company  the  expense  of  collecting  them,  and  very  few  are 
brought  to  the  country  from  that  quarter."  Nevertheless,  it 
would  appear  that  the  Ermine  is  much  more  abundant  in  British 
America  generally  than  it  is  in  the  United  States.  Over  three- 
fourths  of  the  large  miscellaneous  collection  of  skins  we  have 
examined  in  the  preparation  of  this  article  came  from  this  coun- 
try and  from  Alaska.  The  writer  last  mentioned  speaks  of  it 
as  "common",  and  adds  that  it  often  domesticates  itself  in  the 
houses  of  the  fur  traders,  where  it  may  be  heard  the  live-long 
night  pursuing  the  white-footed  mouse.  Up  to  a  certain  limit  of 
latitude  it  would  appear  to  increase  in  numbers  to  the  north- 
ward. The  abundance  of  an  Ermine,  either  the  present  or  suc- 
ceeding species,  on  the  Missouri  is  attested  by  the  regalia  of 
ceremony  of  some  of  the  Indian  tribes — picturesque  costumes 
decorated  with  the  tails,  in  rude  imitation  of  royal  fashion. 

Like  a  majority  of  thoroughly  predacious  animals,  the  Ermine 
is  somewhat  nocturnal ;  that  is  to  say,  it  is  active  and  success- 
ful in  the  dark.  Nevertheless,  it  is  too  often  abroad  in  the  day- 
time, either  in  sport  or  on  the  chase,  to  warrant  our  reckoning 
it  among  the  truly  nocturnal  Carnivores.  In  the  choice  and 
construction  of  its  retreats  we  see  little  evidence  of  burrowing 
instincts,  or,  indeed,  of  any  considerable  fossorial  capacity.  It 
retreats  beneath  stone  heaps,  under  logs  and  stumps,  in  hol- 
lows of  trees,  and  also  in  true  underground  burrows,  though 
these,  it  should  be  observed,  are  usually  those  made  by  Bodents 
or  other  burrowers  whom  it  has  driven  off  or  destroyed.  Nev- 
ertheless, there  is  evidence  that  the  ani^xial  sometimes  digs. 
Thus  Captaiu  Lyon,  as  rendered  by  Richardson,  states,  that  be 


T 


-a        1    «Vl^..       L- 


ik: 


*(  'f'" .  sT 


S  iv 


^li 


1  '1 


P  H:' 


I  1:^ 


134 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


it- 


n 


observed  a  curious  kind  of  burrow  made  by  ErmiDes  in  the  snow, 
"  which  was  pushed  up  in  the  same  manner  as  the  tracks  of 
moles  through  the  earth  in  England.  These  passages  run  in  a 
serpentine  direction,  and  near  the  hole  or  dwelling  place  the 
circles  are  multiplied,  as  if  to  render  the  approach  more  intri- 
cate." Audubon  has  a  passage  of  similar  effect : — "  We  have 
frequently  observed  where  it  had  made  long  galleries  in  the 
deep  snow  for  twenty  or  thirty  yards,  and  thus  in  going  from 
one  burrow  to  another,  instead  of  travelling  over  the  surface,  it 
had  constructed  for  itself  a  kind  of  tunnel  beneath." 

Accounts  of  different  writers  indicate  a  great  variation  in  the 
number  of  young  i>roduced  at  a  birth — from  two  to  twelve.  We 
may  safely  assume  that  these  are  unusual  extremes,  the  aver- 
age litter  being  five  or  six.  As  in  case  of  the  Mink,  the  rutting 
season  is  early ;  in  the  United  States,  during  a  part  of  Febru- 
ary and  March.  Young  have  been  noted,  toward  the  southern 
extreme  of  the  range  of  the  species,  before  the  end  of  March ; 
but  most  are  produced  in  May  or  late  in  April.  Without  defi- 
nite information  respecting  the  period  of  gestation,  we  may  sur- 
mise this  to  be  about  six  or  seven  weeks.  Information  is  also 
wanting  of  the  length  of  time  that  the  young  nurse  or  require 
to  have  food  brought  them  by  the  parents. 

On  the  distribution  of  the  Ermine  in  the  Old  World.* 

Georgi  {loc.  cit.  [i.  e.,  Geogr.  Phys.  Besch.  iii.  6],  p.  1539) 
indicates,  with  regard  to  the  distribution  of  the  Ermine  in 
Eussia,  the  southern  temperate,  and  the  cold  regions  almost 
to  the  Arctic  Ocean.  He  mentions,  as  special  localities,  the 
Polish-Russian  and  Dnieper  governments,  Curland,  Livonia, 
and  Ingermannland,  also  Finland,  the  governments  on  the 
Volga  and  its  tributaries,  and  also  the  governments  of  Arch- 
angel, Wiburg,  Wologda,  Perm,  those  of  the  southeast  to 
Bucharia;  Siberia  from  the  Ural  to  the  Jeuisei,  Dauria,  the 
Lena  Biver,  Kamtschatka,  and  finally  the  Kurile  and  Aleu- 
tian Islands ;  and  calls  attention  to  its  abundance  in  Siberia. 
Pallas  (Zoogr.  R.-A.  i.  p.  92)  gives  the  Ermine  as  inhabit- 
ing not  only  the  whole  of  Europe,  and  Asia  to  India,  but 
also  asserts  its  extension  into  America,  remarking,  however, 
its  absence  from  the  Kurile  and  Aleutian  Islands.  Accord- 
ing to  Wosnessenski's  observations,  communicated  to  me 

*  Translated  from  Brandt's  article  already  quoted  with  reference  to  Galo 
luacu8. 


OLD    WORLD   DISTRIBUTION   OF  THE   ERMINE. 


13*5 


personally,  and  contrary  to  the  opinion  of  Pallas,  Ermines  are 
met  with  on  the  Aleutians  and  Behring  Islands,  where  they 
are  hunting  the  Mice  and  Shrew-mice  marching  after  the  food- 
provisions  of  man.  The  same  author  also  speaks  of  their  fre- 
(juent  occurrence  in  Kamtschatka  and  on  the  coasts  of  the  sea  of 
Ochotsk.  Von  Saritschew  (Beise,i.  p.  92)  observed  Ermines 
on  the  middle  course  of  t\e  Indigirka,  and  von  Wrangel 
(Reise,  ii.  p.  238)  near  Werchojansk,  in  latitude  67°,  longitude 
33°;  Gebler  (Katun.  Gebirge,  p.  85)  mentions  their  existence  in 
West  Siberia;  Eversmann  in  the  governments  of  Kasan  and 
Orenburg;  Lehmanu  (Reise,  Zool.  App.  by  Brandt,  p.  302) 
names,  besides  Orenburg,  the  country  of  the  Bashkirs  and 
Fort  Spask;  Hohenacker  (Bull.  Nat.  Hist.  Moskou,  1837,2,  p. 
137)  enumerates  them  among  the  Mammals  of  the  couutries  of 
the  Caucasus;  Nordmann  mentions  their  appearance  in  Bes- 
sarabia, Ekaterinoslaw,  and  Asia  Minor  (Demidoff,  Voy.  iii. 
p.  17);  and  Ozernay  (Bull.  Nat.  H.  Moskou,  1851,  p. 274)  in  the 
governments  of  Charkow  and  Ekaterinoslaw.  Kessler  calls 
them  frequent  inhabitants  of  all  the  four  governments  of  the  Dis- 
triutofKiew.  Brine  ken  (Mem.  p.  47)and  Eichwald(Skizze, 
p.  237)  number  them  among  the  animals  of  Lithuania.  Their  ap- 
pearance in  Curland  is  mentioned  in  the  Description  of  the 
Province  of  Curland  by  v.  Derschau  and  v.  Keyserling  (p. 
130),  and  also  by  Lichteustein  (Bull.  Nat.  H.  Mosc.  1829,  p. 
289).  According  to  a  communication  from  Fischer,  Ermines 
are  met  wich  in  Livonia  only  in  certain  localities  and  a  very  few 
places  (Naturg.  v.  Li  viand,  p.  144).  Their  frequent  appearance 
near  St.  Petersburg  I  am  able  toattest  by  many  years'experience. 
In  Finland,  they  ate  mentioned  by  Sadelin  (Fauna  Fenn.  p.  10, 
and  the  Forteckning  iifver  Siillskapets  p.  Fauna  Fenn.  Sam- 
lingar,  p.  7).  Oseretskowski  indicates  them  also  on  the  coast 
of  Lapland.  Schrenk  (Reise,  i.  pp.  66,  97)  reports  them  on  the 
Pinega  River  and  in  the  District  of  Mesen.  From  the  latter 
region,  a  specimen  was  received  by  the  Academical  Museum 
through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Bystrow,  inspector  of  schools  (see 
»uiy  report  in  the  Scientific  Bull,  of  the  Acad,  of  Sciences  of  St. 
Petersburg,  v.  x).  In  the  government  of  Wologda  there  are 
said  to  be  collected  annually  from  5,000  to  10,000  skins  (v.  B  ae  r 
Beitr.  vii.  p.  251).  Sujew  (Pallas,  Trav.  iii.  p.  87)  numbered 
them  among  the  inhabitants  of  the  lower  Obi,  and  this  was 
lately  confirmed  by  Ermann  (Reise,  i.  p.  562).  The  Ural  expe- 
dition brought  back  with  them  a  male  specimen  killed  on  June 


i 


no     a  0 


•« 


136 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


7, 1847,  on  the  Wischera,  in  latitude  62^.  The  summer  coat 
of  this  individual  agreed  substantially  with  that  of  other 
Ermines  killed  at  the  same  season  in  other  regions.  The  tail 
of  the  above  mentioned  animal  shows  a  white  ring  before  its 
black  end,  very  likely  only  an  individual  peculiarity.  The  balls 
of  the  feet  and  the  joints  of  the  toes  were  distinctly  visible. 
Von  Hoffmann  informed  me  that  the  Ermines  follow  the 
Lemmings  to  the  Arctic  Sea. 

The  many  Ermines  killed  near  St.  Petersburg  are  always 
brown  in  summer  but  white  in  winter,  which,  Pallas  says,  is 
also  the  case  with  those  living  near  the  Caspian  Sea  (Zoogr.  i. 
p.  93).  In  my  memoir  on  the  periodical  change  of  pelage  of 
animals  of  the  Weasel  kind  (Bull.  Sc.  CI.  Phys.  Mat.  v.  ix.  n.  12, 
Melanges  Biolog.  i.  p.  185),  I  mentioned  the  capture  of  an  Er- 
mine in  the  brown  or  summer  pelage,  in  the  month  of  Novem* 
ber,  on  the  island  of  Oesel,  and  doubted  then  the  likelihood  of 
such  an  occurrence.  The  following  communication,  however, 
from  D  r .  M  o  r  i  t  z ,  of  Tiflis,  respecting  Mustela  vulgaris^  permits 
me  to  believe  that  many  individuals  do  not  change  when  the 
winter  is  mild.  The  northern  limits  of  the  animal's  distribu- 
tion in  the  Russian  possessions  are  the  shores  of  the  Arctic 
Ocean;  the  southern  limits  include  the  whole  region  south  of 
the  Caucasus;  the  western,  Poland;  and  the  eastern,  Kamt- 
schatka  and  East  Siberia.  Concerning  the  value  of  the  fur,  and 
the  yearly  proceeds,  see  v.  Baer,  Beitr.  viii,  p.  183. 

The  Long^-tailed  IVeasel. 


I 


M 


Patorlns  longlcaada. 

?  Hustela  longicauda,  Bp.  Charlesw.  Mag.  K.  H.  1838, 38  (based  on  long-tailed  variety  of  P. 

enninea  from  Carlton  Honse,  iiicA.  F.  B.  A.  i.  1829, 47,  in  text).— Gray,  Liat  Mamm. 

Br.  Mus.  195. 
TPutorlus  longlcauda.  Rich.  Zool.  Beeohey's  Voy.  1839, 10*,  (in  text;  same  as  foregoing). 
Futorius  longicauda,  Baird,  M.  If.  A.  1857,  169  (Nebraska,  Montana) — Suekley,  P.  K.  R. 

Rep.  xii.  pt.  ii.  1859,  pp.  93, 114  (Milk  River).— ffaj/d.  T.'ins.  Am.  Philos.  Soc.  xii. 

1863, 143.— (?)  Bogg,  Canad.  Kat.  and  Gool.  vi.  1861,  iil.—CoMg  tt  Yarrow,  Zool.  Expl. 

W.  100  Merid.  1875, 591  (Colorado  and  New  Mexico). 
PutoriUS  culbertsoni,  Bd.  MSS.  Mus.  Smiths,  (labels  of  nos.  4330, 432.5). 
HermeUii  des  Oberen  Missouri,  Maxim.  Verz.  N.- A.  Sang.  1862, 46,  pi. "  8",  f.  8  (penis-bone). 

Hab. — Region  of  the  Upper  Missouri  and  its  tributaries ;  Minnesota,  Da- 
kota, Montana,  Nebraska,  Wyoming;  also  Colorado,  Utah,  New  Mexico, 
Arizona.    North  apparently  to  Carlton  House ;  west  probably  to  the  Pacific. 

Specific  characters. — Size  of  P.  erminea  ;  tail  absolutely  and  relatively 
longer,  with  hairs  i  to  |^  the  head  and  body.  Below  tawny  or  buffy,  with  a 
salmon  (not  sulphury)  tinge  abruptly  defined  against  whit^  of  cheeks  and 


r    t     u  o  »     t- 


DESCRIPTION   OF   PUTORIUS   LONGICAUDA. 


137 


chin.  Black  on  end  of  tail  .almost  redncod  to  the  terminal  pencil  alone, 
scarcely  J  the  whole  length.  Color  entirely  white  in  winter.  Male,  total 
length  of  head  and  body,  10.50 ;  tail-vertebrae  6.75  ;  tail  with  hairs  8.50.  Fe- 
male, total  length  of  head  and  body,  8.50 ;  tail  vertebrte,  5.75 ;  tail  with 
hairs,  6.75. 

Description.  * 

The  size  is  entirely  within  the  range  of  that  of  P.  erminea, 
and  there  is  little  to  note  in  this  respect,  excepting  the  greater 
length  of  the  tail ;  the  general  build,  however,  appears  stouter 
than  is  usual  in  P.  erminea,  the  muzzle  blunter.  The  tail  is 
remarkably  long — not  that  it  is  entirely  beyond  the  maximum  of 
that  of  erminea,  but  that  when  shortest  it  is  about  at  such 
maximum,  and  that  its  normal  average  is  beyond  the  average 
of  that  of  P.  erminea.  The  two  animals  being  of  substantially 
the  same  size  of  body,  the  tail  is  relatively  longer — including 
the  hairs  it  is  three-fourths  to  four-fifths  the  length  of  the  body 
and  head.  The  black  on  the  tail  is  normally  restricted  to  the 
minimum — or  even  beyond  this — of  ordinary  erminea;  it  occu- 
pies scarcely  anything  more  than  the  terminal  pencil  alone, 
extending  le^^s  than  half  an  inch  on  the  vertebrae.  The  upper 
parts  are  much  as  in  erminea,  but  there  is  a  peculiar  olivaceous 
cast,  owing  to  admixture  of  some  green  in  the  brown — not  that 
any  green  shows  as  such,  but  it  gives  a  particular  tone  to  the 
parts.  Below,  and  on  both  sets  of  paws,  the  color  is  a  rich  and 
beautiful  buffy -yellow  mixed  with  salmon  color,  quite  diflferent 
from  the  clear  sulphury  of  P.  erminea.  This  color  is  abruptly 
displayed  against  the  pure  white  of  the  chin  and  cheeks.  The 
female  is  considerably  smaller  than  the  male,  as  usual  in  this 
genus,  but  is  not  otherwise  different.  (This  particular  specimen 
is  much  lighter  than  her  mate,  but  such  distinction  will  not 
hold.)  The  following  measurements  were  carefully  taken  in  the 
flesh:— 

•From  a  pair  in  the  Cones  collection,  killed  in  August,  1874,  in  North- 
western Montana. 


cf 


'  w%\ 


m 


138 


NORTH  AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


■< 
o 

S5 


s 

1-4 

as 
O 

H 

Ph 

o 

5 

'>o 


5* 


i. 

;$ 


;^ 


'aampadB  jo  9jn')«x 


•48Dqo  JO  qviIO 


•So 


•iv9  JO  nmin. 


•iw  JO  iqSioH 


Bii«[o  JO  pu9  o!(  aau^ 


'SMVp 

JO    pno    o:)    Aioqia; 


o 
.a 

2 


a 


i 


o 

e 
.& 

a 

o 

1^ 


(jooj  pniH 


•;ooj  ejo J 


•eajBH 


•aaaqo^jOA 


•H«X 


':)udpoo 


•Jwa 


•9^a 


H 

01 


2 


■joqmua  ivniSfJO 


SS 

s<sl 


iSS 


mm 

to  00 


ss 


I2S 


0*0 


biibb 
0<) 


Izi^zi 


I 


eg  a 

I 
§§ 
^^ 
*"« 
a  c9 

Hi  Hi 

a  a 
o  o 

<i1<M 

■ad 


■3 


Ml 
I 


I 


a 
o 
bo 

a 

'3 

o 

§* 

a 
13 

a 

c9 

-5) 

•3 

a 


la 

B 

■& 
9 
IH 

.M 
.8 

oo 

.a 

s 

«s 
cu 
s 
"d 


GENERAL  ACCOUNT  OF  PUTORIUS  LONGICAUDA.  139 


General  account  of  the  species. 

The  subject  of  the  present  article  diflfers  notably  in  the  above 
particulars  from  the  common  type  of  Ermine.  It  is  probably 
the  same  as  the  longicauda  of  Bonaparte,  though  it  must  be 
observed  that  we  have  no  assurance  of  this.  It  is  the  longicauda 
of  Baird.  In  case  Bonaparte's  animal  should  prove  not  the 
same,  the  present  must  be  called  P.  culbertsoni  Baird,  MSS. 

After  dwelling  at  the  length  I  have  upon  the  variability  in 
the  length  of  tail  of  P.  crminea,  and  on  the  extent  of  the 
black  pencil  in  that  species,  it  may  seem  inconsistent  to  intro- 
duce such  features  in  a  specific  diagnosis.  But  it  will  be 
observed  that  the  character  of  the  member  is  something  over 
and  above  that  shown  by  P.  erminea  in  any  of  its  interminable 
variety,  and  that  I  use  it  in  combination  with  another  pe- 
culiarity, the  color  of  the  under  parts.  Taken  together,  these 
seem  perfectly  distinctive ;  at  any  rate,  I  find  the  same  features 
preserved  throughout  a  considerable  series  of  specimens,  with- 
out the  slightest  intergradatiou  with  P.  erminea.  The  speci- 
mens are  distinguishable  at  a  glance.  While  1  make  no  doubt 
that  this  animal  is  an  offshoot  from  P.  erminea,  yet  the  differ- 
entiation is  complete,  and  no  intermediate  specimens  are 
known  ;  while,  for  that  matter,  it  is  doubtless  true  that  all  of 
the  species  have  come  from  an  original  stock.  This  particular 
oifshoot  is  a  step  toward  those  members  of  the  genus  which 
extend  into  tropical  America.  This  is  evident  in  the  coloration 
of  the  belly,  very  little  increased  intensity  of  which  would 
assimilate  it  to  the  rusty  and  orange-brown  shades  prevailing 
farther  south. 

Besides  the  types  of  my  description,  I  have  examined  a 
dozen  or  more  additional  specimens — those  recorded  by  Baird 
in  his  work,  and  others  since  received  at  the  Smithsonian; 
None  show  any  gradation  with  P.  erminea.  In  No.  4325,  from 
old  Port  Union,  "Nebraska"  (now  Montana),  the  tail-vertebrte 
(the  tail  has  not  been  skinned)  measure  6.50  inches,  with  the 
hairs  about  8.00.  No.  4320,  from  Fort  Laramie,  Wyoming, 
taken  in  December,  1859,  is  pure  white;  the  black  tip  under 
1.50  long;  the  vertebra)  (unskinned)  are  about  6.00  ;  the  speci- 
men in  its  winter  dress  is  readily  recognized  by  these  features 
as  pertaining  to  P.  longicauda.  Another  specimen  is  in  winter 
dress  from  Fort  Clarke.  There  are  several  from  Utah.  A 
skin,  too  defective  for  satisfactory  identification,  but  probably 


m 


140 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


I :  I 


"*|]:; 


belonging  here,  is  iu  the  collection  from  Puget's  Bound — a 
locality  which,  if  substantiated,  would  considerably  extend 
the  known  range  of  the  species.    It  is  the  individual  which 
formed  the  basis  of  P.  "nc/tardfsoMt"  iu  Dr.  Buckley's  report 
above  cited. 

Since  writing  the  foregoing,  I  have  examined  the  skull  of 
this  species  in  comparison  with  that  of  P.  erminea,  and  I  tind 
remarkable  distinctions.  Ooordinately  with  the  shorter  and 
broader  head,  the  skull  shows  differences  of  shape  as  well 
marked  as  those  subsisting  between  M.  marten  and  foina.  An 
example  of  P.  noveboracensis  measures  1.90  by  0.95;  a  female 
specimen  of  longicanda  1.80  by  1.03,  the  resulting  difference 
in  contour  boing  obvious.  The  cranial  portion  proper  of  P. 
longicauda  is  much  more  expanded  and  ovate,  the  width  there 
(0.90)  being  half  the  total  length,  while  the  same  measurement 
of  P.  noveboracensis  (0.80)  is  much  less — only  about  half  the 
length  of  the  skull  exclusive  of  the  rostral  portion.  The  skull 
of  P.  longicanda  is  notably  more  constricted  behind  the  orbits. 
The  zygomata  are  much  more  obliquely  offset  from  the  skull. 
The  anteorbital  foramina  are  narrowly  oval  and  very  oblique. 
There  is  a  remarkable  inward  obliquity  of  the  last  upper 
ii^olar,  different  from  anything  I  have  seen  iu  P.  ermineus.  I 
have  not  seen  a  male  skull ;  it  will  be  found  larger  by  about  a 
fourth  of  an  inch  in  length.  We  may  tabulate  the  cranial 
characters  of  the  two  species  as  follows : — 

p.  erminea. — Zygomatic  width  of  skull  one-half  its  length.  Cranial  width 
much  less  than  half  the  total  length.  Width  of  skull  at  point  of  greatest 
constriction  half  the  zygomatic  width.  Anteorbital  foramina  large,  suboir- 
cnlar.    Set  of  back  upper  premolar  nearly  vertical. 

P.  longicanda. — Zygomatic  width  of  skull  about  three-fifths  its  length.  Cra- 
nial width  half  the  total  length.  Width  of  skull  at  point  of  greatest  con- 
striction about  two-fifths  the  zygomatic  width.  Anteorbital  foramina  small, 
very  obliquely  oval.    Set  of  back  upper  premolar  obliquely  inward. 

I  think  that  after  all  the  relationships  of  this  species  are 
closest  with  P.  frenatus,  notwithstanding  the  absence  of  the 
facial  markings  peculiar  to  the  latter.  It  shares  with  P.  frenatus 
the  rusty-reddish  or  salmon-colored  under  parts,  well  contrast- 
ing with  the  clear  sulphury-yellow  of  P.  erminea.  Moreover, 
southern  examples,  such  as  those  from  New  Mexico,  show  a 
decided  approach  to  P.  frenattn  in  darkening  of  the  color  of 
the  head.  This  is  sometimes  so  decided,  that  were  white  spots 
present  in  these  cases,  the  specimens  would  unhesitatingly  be 
referred  to  P.  frenatus;  and  we  know  that  in  Central  Ameri- 


GENERAL  ACCOUNT  OF  PUTORIUS  LONOICAUDA.   141 


u\ 


cau  and  Mexican  skins  the  facial  markings  of  P.  froiatus  are 
not  seldom  extinguished. 

The  Long-tailed  Stoat  is  the  characteristic  form  of  the  genus 
throughout  the  region  of  the  Missouri  and  its  tributaries. 
While  I  am  not  assured  that  it  inhabits  this  country  to  the 
exclusion  of  P.  erminea,  I  may  state  that  I  never  met  with  the 
latter  in  any  of  my  travels,  and  that  I  have  not  seen  specimens 
from  fairly  within  this  region,  though  some  from  its  confines 
are  before  me.  It  is  the  Weasel  of  the  Rocliy  Mountains  too, 
for  a  corresponding  extent,  and,  as  above  indicated,  very  prob- 
ably reaches  to  the  Pacific.  Mr.  Ridgway  informs  me  that  he 
found  a  specimen,  which  he  satisfactorily  identifies  from  mem- 
ory of  its  creamy-yellow  under  parts,  in  the  Wahsatch  Mount- 
ains, near  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah.  I  have  also  seen  the  species 
in  the  mountains  of  Colorado. 

I  found  the.  animal  to  be  quite  numerously  represented  in 
Northern  Montana,  on  the  boundless  prairies  of  the  Upper 
Missouri  and  Milk  River,  living  in  burrows  underground  along 
with  the  Gophers  {Spermophilus  richardsoni),  Badgers,  and  Kit 
Foxes.  In  these  treeless  domains,  it  occupies  as  its  home  the 
deserted  burrows  of  the  Gophers.  I  once  surprised  a  family 
of  five  or  six  in  such  a  retreat ;  I  could  hear  them  spitting 
angrily  below,  but  did  not  succeed  in  my  endeavor  to  dislodge 
them.  This  was  late  in  July;  the  young  were  well  grown  at 
this  period.  Later  in  the  season,  at  Chief  Mountain  Lake,  one 
of  the  headwaters  of  the  Saskatchewan,  on  the  eastern  base 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  latitude  ■49°,  several  specimens  were 
secured.  Here  the  species  was  living  on  wooded  ground; 
indeed,  one  of  my  specimens  was  caught  up  a  small  tree,  and 
killed  with  a  stick.  It  climbed  anfl  leaped  among  the  branches 
with  ease  and  agility,  much  like  a  Squirrel.  Skins  were  in  de- 
mand by  the  men  of  our  party  for  the  manufacture  of  tobacco- 
pouches;  they  made  very  pretty  ones,  and  many  were  killed 
for  this  purpose. 

Tlie  specimen  mentioned  above  from  the  Wahsatch  Mount- 
ains  was  found  dead  by  Mr.  Ridgway  in  the  nest  of  a  Buteo 
sicainsoni.  This  shows  that  the  animal,  des,)ite  its  ferocity 
and  activity,  may  I'all  a  victim  to  the  rapacity  of  the  larger 
Hawks.  The  individual  had  its  neck  torn,  and  was  already 
partly  eaten  by  the  two  strong  and  voracious  young  Buzzards 
which  occupied  the  nest.    The  nest  contained  also  the  remains 


'Mi 


f\. 


rv 


142 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


U  :i 


of  a  Chipmunk,  and  of  a  Black -beailoil  Grosbeak  {Qoniaphea 
MeJiinoerphnla). 

When  irritated,  this  species  diffuses  a  fu^tid  odor  quite  as 
strong  as  that  of  the  Miuk, 

The  Bridled  l¥eai>iel. 


PiitorinM  (Oale)  brRiiillensiii  frenatoR. 

a,  hragilifimfi  (Sewast.). 

Mimtrtn  brnsnirnsls,  Smmst.  Mom.  Aeail.  St.  Petorsb.  Iv.  1813,3.50,  pi.  4.— FTwrh.  Syn.  1820, 
iii.—liunn.  Wi\\.  Nat.  Ges.  llalle,  ii.  1854,  M.—Oorr.  Cat.  Bonos  IJr.  Mu».  1863, 94.— 
GriKj,  Ann.  Mug.  N.  H.  xiv.  1874, 374. 

Mlistelii  (Putorlus)  brannieilNls,  DOrhlij.  Voy.  Am«r.  M6rid. ,  pi.  13,  f.  3  (skull). 

Mustda  (Onlc)  br»<«UienNi!«,  sohim,  Syn.  Maniin.  i.  1844, 346. 

Mii'^tolu  Oicojiale)  brusUleiistl!)  mir.  briisUluna,  Oray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865,115  (type  ot  Neogale); 
Cut.  Ciini.  Br.  Miw.  1869,  92. 

h.  (tquatonalis  Coues. 

Mustela  aurcnvcntrlH,  Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1864,5.5,  pi. 8  (Quito;  very  young)  (not  M.  OMrirmter 

Hmhis.) Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865,115  (Ecuador  and  New  Grenada;  adult);  Cat.  Cam.  Br. 

Mn«.  i8<'.9,  92. 

Pilli)rlii>)  brasUlenHlii  var.  trquatorlaUH,  Cows  (merely  as  a  substitute  for  Gray's  preoc- 
ciipind  name). 

1  Musli'la  macrura,  Tae.z.  P.  Z.  S.  1874, 311,  pi.  48  (Central  Porn). 

•?  Miistela  nfllnts,  Gray,  Ann.  Mai?.  N.  H.  xiv.  1874, 375  (New  Granada). 

c.  frenatus  (Llcht.). 

.VllStrln  rrcnnta,  Licht  Dnrstellung  .   .   .    Siing.  1827-34,  pi.  53  (Mexico).— Attd.  cC  Bach. 

J.  A.  N.  S.  P.  viii.  pt.  ii.  1842,291.— Omi/,  Zoiil.  Voy.  Sulphur,  1844,  31,  pi.  9  (head).— 

Tomes,  P.  Z.  S.  1861,287  (Guatemala).— Omy,  List  M.  Br.  Mus.  1843,  eS.-Oerrai-d,  Oat. 

Bones  Br.  Mus.  1862, 94. 
MiiHtcIa  (Gale)  frenata,  Wann.  Suppl.  Scbreb.  Siing.  ii.  1841, 234. 
i'UtorillK  fri'natUS,  Bach.  J.  A.  X.  S.  P.  viii.  •iHS.—Awl.  (C  Bach.  Q.  J.  A.  ii.  1851, 71,  pi.  60 

(Texas  to  Monterey  and  southward). — Bd.  M.  N.  A.  1857, 173, pi.  19,  fig.  5rt;  Mex.  B. 

Surv.  ii.  pt.  ii.  18.59 ;  Mammals,  19,  pi.  17,  flgs.  1  and  2,  a-e.—Ooucs,  Am.  Nat.  i.  1867,  352. 
Mustcla  vailthOKenys,  Gray,  Ann.  Mag.  N.  II.  xi.  184.3, 118;   Zoiil.  Voy.  Sulpb.  1844, 31,  pi.  9 ; 

{n't.  to  Pall.  Zoog.  92);  List  M.  Br.  JIus.  1843,66;  P.  Z.  S.  1865,115;  Cat.  Cam.    Br. 

Mus.  1869, 93 ;  Ann.  Mag.  N.  H   xiv.  1874,  375.— Got.  Cat.  Bones  Br.  Mus.   1862,  94. 

Pulorius  xanlhoeenys,  Bd.  B.  N.  A.  1857, 176,  pi.  19,  f.  3  n  (California).— Aetob.  P.  R.  R.  Rep. 
vi.  Ib57,  42  (San  Francisco). 

Putorius  mcxicanus,  Berlandier,  MSS.  ic.  ined.  4  (Tamaulipas  and  Matamoras). 
*l'oinadrrJa'  of  the  Mexicans. 

((Jompare  Mmtcla  javonica  Seba,  Thes.  i.  pi.  48,  fig.  4  —  Jf.  leucogcnis  Schinz,  Syn.  i.  344 ;  not 
Japanese.— Cf.  Pall.  Zoog.  li.-A.  i.  1811, 92,  footnote.) 

H.\n. — Southarn  Texas  to  California.  Up  the  Pacific  side  to  San  Francisco, 
Fort  Crook,  and  probably  Astoria,  Oregon.  South  to  Qaatemala.  Var. 
(vqttiitorialis,  thence  to  Ecuador.    Var.  bmailiemis,  Brazil. 

Si'ECiFic  CHAKACTER8.— Size  aud  proportions  of  P.  erminea;  top  of  head 
notably  different  in  color  (darker)  from  the  back,  and  blotched  with  white ; 
chin  white;  other  under  parts  more  or  less  strongly  tinged  with  tawny-yel- 
low or  orangj-brown ;  tail  tipped  with  black.    No  seasonal  change  of  pelage. 


GENERAL  ACCOUNT  OF  P.  BRA8ILIENSIS  FRENATUS.    143 


Genera  I  account  of  the  82)ecie8. 

In  respects  of  size  and  form,  tliis  species  scarcely  dittcra  from 
r.  crminea.  The  pelage  appears  to  be  coarser,  thinner,  and 
more  glossy  than  it  usually  is  in  the  P.  erminea,  evidently  as  a 
consequence  of  the  more  southern  habitat  of  the  animal.  The 
palms,  soles,  and  ears  are  rather  more  scantily  haired.  There 
are  no  indications  that  the  animal  turns  white  in  winter. 

The  pattern  of  coloration  is  as  usual  in  this  genus,  with  the 
adilition  of  the  peculiar  head-markings,  to  be  presently  de- 
scribed. The  upper  parts  are  of  a  mahogany-brown,  as  in  the 
Slimmer  coat  of  other  Stoats,  but  ditter  in  the  shadv  much  as 
]tolished  mahogany  differs  from  that  wood  iu  the  rough,  being 
darker  and  richer  in  tint.  This  color  deepens  insensibly  into 
blackish  on  the  head.  The  darkest  examples  before  us,  from 
(tuatemala,  are  almost  chocolate-brown,  and  quite  black  on 
the  head.  This  intensity  of  coloration  is  quite  coincident  with 
(loorease  of  latitude ;  and  the  northernmost  examples,  from 
California,  are  much  paler — of  a  lighter  and  more  yellowish- 
brown  than  the  average  of  P.  erminea.  There  is  a  similar  par 
lelism  in  the  color  of  the  under  parts.  Aside  from  the  chin 
and  throat,  which  usually  remain  quite  purely  white,  the  under 
l»art8  range  from  a  tawny-yellow  to  a  rich  orange-brown.  In 
running  through  the  series  from  California  to  Guatemala,  I  have 
seen  nothing  quite  like  this  in  any  of  the  northern  Stoats,  in 
which  any  yellowish  of  the  under  parts  which  may  exist  is  sul- 
phury; the  only  approach  to  it  being  a  salmon  shade  on  P. 
Umgkauda.  In  the  orange-bellied  Guatemalan  skins,  moreover, 
the  line  of  demarcation  from  the  white  of  the  throat  is  quite 
abrupt;  iu  others,  the  transition  is  by  insensible  degrees.  The 
light  color  of  the  under  parts  runs  down  both  fore  and  hind 
limbs  to  the  feet;  but  the  tops  of  the  feet  are  indifferently  col- 
ored like  the  belly  or  like  the  back ;  at  any  rate,  I  find  specimens 
varying  in  this  respect,  without  finding  any  clue  to  a  rule  which 
might  determine  this  condition.  The  tail  is  like  the  back  all 
around ;  it  blackens  insensibly  at  the  tip,  for  a  shorter  distance 
than  is  usual  iu  northern  Stoats ;  the  defined  black  only  occu- 
pying, on  an  average,  about  an  inch  of  the  end  in  addition  to 
the  terminal  pencil  of  hairs,  which  is  about  another  inch 
longer. 


144  NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 

Measurements  of  two  apecimena  of  Putorius  bkasiliensis  frknatus. 


'•'  i^ijii 


M 

a 

Localltj. 

H 

.1- 

From  tip  of  no«e  to-     TaiUojnd 

Lad  St  h 
of— 

"S 

1 

a 
a 

3 

1" 

a 

6 

3 

i 

> 

i 

n 

1 
1 

1 

c 

n 

C   » 

£^ 

3 

1 

8382 
2323 

Matainoras,  Mex  . . . 
■--■'lo 

1.00 
0.60 

1.75 
l.SO 

2.25 
2.20 

n.OO     6.75 
8. 25     4. 75 

B.00 
5.30 

1.20 
1.10 

1.80 
1.60 

Ale. 
Ale. 

The  facial  white  markings  of  this  species  deserve  special 
cousideranoii.  Upon  the  most  cursory  examination,  one  may 
satisfy  himself  of  their  irregular,  indeterminate  character,  and 
would  expect  to  find  them,  as  they  really  are,  variable  to  the 
last  degree.  They  are  similar  in  this  respect  to  the  white  on 
the  chin  and  abont  the  lips  and  along  the  belly  of  the  Mink, 
or  on  the  chest  of  the  Marten,  and  of  a  part  with  the  variation 
above  mentioned  in  the  color  of  the  paws  of  the  present  spe- 
cies. They  ai>pear  to  be,  in  fact,  simply  an  exaggeration  and 
permanent  retention  of  certain  white  markings  that  occur  in 
P.  erminea  (uiiassociated  with  beginnings  or  remiiins  of  the 
winter  dross).  In  several  European  examples  of  P.  erminea, 
I  find  a  little  white  coronal  or  two  white  supraciliary  or  auricular 
spots,  and  a  wholly  variable  extent  of  white  upon  the  cheeks. 
The  usual  pattern  in  P.frenatus  is  this  :  a  triangular  or  quad- 
rate white  frontal  spot  just  between  the  eyes,  and  a  broad 
oblique  white  stripe  on  each  side  of  the  head.  In  addition, 
there  may  or  may  not  be  an  occipitjil  white  spot  between  the 
ears.  The  frontal  spot  is  usually  isolated  from  the  white 
stripes,  but  may  fuse  with  them,  completing  the  "  bri<lle".  It 
is  sometimes  reduced  to  a  mere  nasal  stripe,  with  correspond- 
ing reduction  of  tlie  pre  auricular  markings.  In  a  specimen 
from  Fort  Crook,  Cdliforuia,  which  I  refer  to  this  species, 
there  are  only  a  few  white  hairs  on  the  muzzle,  and  a  slight 
patch  at  the  base  of  the  ear.  But  the  malar  stripe,  on  the 
variations  of  which  P.  xanthogenys  chiefly  rests,  is  still  more 
unstable  in  character ;  for  its  width  and  the  outline  it  forms 
with  the  black  of  the  cheeks  are  wholly  indeterminate. 

I  am  inclined  to  think  that  this  animal  has  become  fairly 
differentiated  from  an  original  stock  which  comprised  P.  er- 
minea, although  traces  of  a  former  connection  may  still  subsist 
on  the  confines  of  its  present  habitat.    The  Fort  Crook  speci- 


CHARACTERS    OF   P.    BRASILIEXSIS    FRENATUS. 


145 


men  above  mentioned  imperfectly  represents  the  species.  It 
is,  morover,  associated  in  that  locality  with  an  animal  which 
turns  perfectly  white  in  winter,  and  is  in  other  respects  insep- 
arable from  northern  Ermines.  Thus,  No.  2839.  fi-om  Fort 
Crook  {Feilmr),  is  pure  white  underneath,  has  the  head  like 
the  back  in  color,  and  both  of  the  usual  undressed  mahogany- 
brown  ;  yet  it  shows  the  white  frontal  spot  and  has  a  decided 
trace  of  the  malar  stripe.  It  is  accompanied  by  No.  3872,  pure 
white  all  over.  Still,  the  white  markings  of  No.  2839  may  be 
remains  of  a  seasonal  change,  or  merely  like  the  similar  ap- 
pearances that  some  specimens  of  the  European  P.  enninea 
present.  I  refer  these  two  specimens  to  P.  enninea,  but  in- 
clude the  other  from  Fort  Crook,  No.  3830,  in  the  beginning  of 
the  hrasiUensis  series.  I  refer  to  this  species,  with  some  hesita- 
tion, a  very  young  Stoat  from  Astoria,  Oregon  (No.  3520,  June 
19, 1858,  J,  Wayne).  Although  the  head  is  not  darker  than 
the  back,  and  no  head-stripes  are  apparent,  the  belly  shows 
strongly  the  characteristic  fawn  color  of  frenatus. 

There  remains  the  discussion  of  the  relationships  of  the 
South  American  forms.  Although  I  have  not  specimens  from 
Brazil  or  Ecuador,  the  sufficient  descriptions  of  authors  enable 
me  to  speak  with  confidence  respecting  them.  There  is  evi- 
dently but  one  series  of  linked  forms.  We  have  already  seen 
that  frenata  begins  in  Upper  California,  as  xanthogenys, 
which  is  merely  the  northernmost  palest  form,  between  which 
and  true  frenata  (City  of  Mexico,  &c.)  there  is  no  diffierence 
requiring  recognition  by  name.  In  Guatemala,  frenata  already 
assumes  the  rich  coloration  that  culminates  further  south  in 
brasiliensis.  Gray,  indeed,  who  usually  subdivides  altogether 
too  much,  does  not  attempt  to  separate  frenata  and  brasUictms 
except  varietally.  P.  miiiatorialis  (as  I  call  what  Gray  named 
il/.  aureoventris,  a  term  preoccupied  to  all  intents  and  purposes 
by  auriventer  of  Hodgson)  was  originally  described  from  a 
very  young  animal  ("  length  6  inches,  tail  4J" — the  adult  is  after- 
ward described  as  length  12,  tail  8),  without  facial  markings, 
but  the  adult  has  the  auricular  blotch,  though  the  frontal  spot 
appears  to  be  extinguished.  It  is  described  as  very  dark'y 
and  richly  colored,  the  under  parts  and  ear-spot  "  golden-ye.- 
low ";  the  coloration  of  the  plate  is  almost  precisely  that  of 
Guatemalan  specimens  before  me.  But  that  the  facial  mark- 
ings may  be  completely  extinguished,  as  a  matter  of  individ- 
ual variation,  is  shown  by  a  specimen  before  me  from  Costa 
10  M 


1 


i; 


W 


I'd     .flirliili 


HI 


146 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID.E. 


n 


Bica.  It  is  very  dark  and  richly  colored,  with  the  merest  trace 
of  white  markings  behind  one  eye — not  both. 

I  find  nothing  in  the  ascribed  characters  of  Mustela  macrura 
Taczanowski  forbidding  its  reference  to  the  Middle  American 
series ;  nor  is  there  anything  in  Dr.  Gray's  brief  and  unsatis- 
factory account  of  M.  affinis  incompatible  with  the  characters  of 
the  present  species  in  their  now  ascertained  range  of  variation. 

There  is  nothing  peculiar  in  the  relationships  of  the  various 
forms  as  here  advanced.  It  is  paralleled  in  the  cases  of  other 
Mammals  and  many  Birds,  and,  in  fact,  might  have  been  pre- 
dicated. 

We  are  in  possession  of  no  special  information  upon  the  hab- 
its of  the  Bridled  Weasel,  which,  however,  may  be  presumed 
to  diflfer  little,  if  at  all,  from  those  of  its  allies.  Dr.  Newberry 
represents  it  as  abundant  about  San  Francisco. 


I 


CHAPTER    V. 


I  '>! 


MUSTELIN^E— Continued:  The  American  Ferret. 

The  snbgemis  Cynomyonax — Subgeneric  characters— Putorius  {Cynomyonax) 
Tiigripes,  the  American  or  Black-footed  Ferret — Synonymy — Specific  char- 
acters— Habitat — General  account  of  the  species — Addendum  :  On  the 
species  of  the  snbgenns  Piitorius — P.  falidun,  the  Polecat  or  Fitch — Syn- 
onymy— Description — P.  fietidua  var.  furo,  the  Ferret — Synonymy — Re- 
marks— Ferret  breeding  and  handling — P.  foefidus  var.  eversmanni,  the 
Siberian  Polecat — Synonymy— Remarks — J',  sarmaticm,  the  Spotted  Pole- 
cat— Synonymy  and  remarks. 

I  HAVE  been  obliged  to  establish  a  new  subgenus  for  the 
reception  of  the  singular  Putorius  nlgripes  of  Audubon  and 
Bachman,  which  curiously  combines  some  features  of  both  Oale 
and  Putorius  proper,  with  others  peculiar  to  itself.  As  indi- 
cated by  the  name  of  American  or  Black-footed  "  Ferret",  it  is 
the  strict  analogue  in  this  country  of  the  European  Ferret,  or 
Polecat,  with  which  it  agrees  so  closely  in  some  respects  that  I 
was  at  first  inclined  to  refer  it  to  the  subgenus  Putorius  itself. 
But  further  examination  has  satisfied  me  that  the  sum  of  its 
peculiarities  ranks  as  high,  at  least,  as  that  characterizing 
other  admittei^  subgenera  of  Putorius.  I  have  already  concisely 
contrasted  its  characters  with  those  of  other  sections  of  the 
genus  (p.  99),  and  shall  devote  this  chapter  to  further  consid- 
eration of  the  remarkable  animal. 

The  Subgenus  CYNOMYONAX.     (Coues,  1877.) 

Tbe  dental  formula  of  this  subgenus  is  the  same  as  that  of 
the  genus  Putorius  at  large  (pm.  ~^y 

The  details  of  the  dentition  agree  most  closely  with  those  of 
subgenus  Putorius,  though  peculiar  in  one  respect.  The  back 
lower  molar  is  a  mere  cylindrical  stump,  with  hemispherical 
crown,  too  small  and  weak  to  develop  the  little  cusps  seen  plainly 
in  P.faeiidus  and  P.  vison.  The  inferior  incisors,  in  the  speci- 
men examined,  are  so  crowded  that  the  middle  one  on  each 
side  sets  entirely  back  of  the  line  of  the  rest,  exactly  as  in  a 
specimen  of  P.fcetidus  before  me.  The  deutelure  of  the  upj^r 
jaw  might  be  described  in  terms  identical  with  those  applicable 

147 


I 


I 


\\'IH: 


Hi  I 
if 


V 


148 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^E. 


to  P.fcetidu8f  though  the  back  molar  seems  to  be  rather  weak. 
P./oetidns  and  C.  nigripes  both  differ  from  L.  rison  in  the  char- 
acter of  the  ui)per  sectorial  tooth,  which  in  vison  develops,  as 
elsewhere  described,  an  antero-exterior  process,  wholly  wanting 
in  the  other  subgenera. 

The  skull  of  Cynomyonax  differs  notably  from  that  of  Oale, 
and  agrees  with  those  of  Putorius  proper  and  Lutreola  in  its 
size,  relative  massiveness,  and  development  of  ridges  and  de- 
pressions. It  is  nevertheless  at  once  distinguished  by  the 
extreme  degree  of  constriction  behind  the  orbits,  where  the 
width  of  the  cranium  is  much  less  than  that  of  the  rostrum. 
(In  L.  vison,  the  constriction  is  moderate;  in  P.  f<xtidu8,  there  is 
scarcely  any.)  Coincidently  with  this  narrowing  of  the  skull 
near  the  middle,  the  postorbital  processes  are  better  developed 
than  they  are  in  either  of  the  two  genera  last  named,  and  the 
postmolar  production  of  the  palate  is  extremely  narrow.  The 
interpterygoid  emargination  is  comparatively  shallow  as  well 
as  narrow,  not  nearly  reaching  half-way  to  the  molars;  the 
palate  ends  (in  the  specimen  examined — it  may  not  in  others) 
transversely  instead  of  with  strongly  concave  or  even  acute 
emargination.  The  pterygoids,  as  in  Gale,  do  not  develop 
decided  hamular  processes  (conspicuous  in  P.foetidus  and  X. 
vison).  The  bullaj  auditoriee,  as  in  both  Oale  and  P.  fmtidus  (they 
are  notably  flatter  in  L.  vison),  have  considerable  inflation,  with 
scarcely  a  tubular  prolongation  and  nick  at  end.  In  brief, 
the  skull  combines  the  size,  massiveness,  and  roughness  of 
Putorius  proper  and  Lutreola,  with  other  characters  rather  of 
Gale,  and  some  peculiarities  of  its  own. 

In  external  details,  Cynomyonax  is  similarly  interrelated  to 
Oale  and  Putorius  proper,  though  nearer  the  former  {Lutreola 
being  more  specialized  in  adaptation  to  aquatic  habits  than 
either  of  the  other  subgenera).  Though  of  such  large  size, 
Cynomyonax  retains  the  attenuate  body,  long  neck,  very  short 
legs,  slim  tail,  large  orbicular  ears,  and  close-set  pelage  of  a 
true  Stoat.  On  the  other  hand,  the  pattern  of  coloration,  ex- 
cepting the  black-tipped  tail,  is  different,  and  more  like  that  of 
the  Ferrets  in  some  respects,  while  it  is  entirely  peculiar  in 
others. 

It  is  interesting  to  observe  that  this  single  American  ana- 
logue of  a  special  Old  World  group  occurs  in  the  western  portion 
of  the  country,  furnishing  another  among  many  instances  of 
the  closer  relationships  of  the  Western  than  of  the  Eastern  fauna 
with  that  of  the  other  hemisphere. 


ACCOUNT    OF    THE    AMERICAN    FERRET. 


149 


American  or  Black-rooted  Ferret. 


Piitortas  (Cynomyonax)  nlyripea. 

Platr  VU. 

Putorlus  ntsripcs,  Awl.  A.  Bach.*  Q.  X.  A.  ii,  1851,  -397,  pi.  93  (Lower  Platt<'  niror).— M. 
M.  N.  A.  1857,  UO  (from  tht>  t'Dri'Koins).— Owi/,  V.  Z.  S.  1865, 110  ;  Out.  Cam.  l?r.  Mas. 
18B9,  88  (its  validity  quoriod). —Oom«s,  Am.  Sportsman  Nov.  20,  1874  (call  for  speoi- 
meuB).— J.me«,  Bull.  Minu.  Acad.  1874, 69  (presumptively  attributed  to  Minnesota) . 

H.\B.— Region  of  the  Platte  River,  aucl  other  portious  of  the  central 
plutoau.  Kah  been  found  in  Kansas,  Nebra.skii,  Wyoming,  Montana,  and 
Colorado ;  north  to  Milk  River,  Montana. 

Specific  characteks. — Above  pale  brownish,  mixed  withafewl)lacki8h- 
t'.pped  hairs,  especially  on  the  lower  back  ;  below  nearly  wh'te;  hairs  every- 
\7here  white  at  the  roots ;  general  color-aspect  brownish-white ;  a  broad 
stripe  across  forehead,  the  feet  and  the  end  of  the  tail,  black.  Length  19 
inches ;  tail-vertebne  4,  with  hairs  5i  ;  fore  leg  4.  Skull  2.G0  long ;  rather 
under  0.50  broad  at  point  of  greatest  constriction  (zygomatic  width  un- 
known). 

Oeneral  account  of  the  species. 

CJutil  verj'^  recently,  nothing  was  known  of  this  remarkable 
animal  beyond  what  was  given  by  Audubon.  Tlie  original  of 
his  figure,  if  ever  preserved,  does  not  appear  to  have  been  ex- 
amined by  other  naturalists.  Doubt  has  been  cast  upon  the 
existence  of  such  an  animal,f  and  the  describer  has  even  been 

*  Digest  of  the  original  description. — Dentition  strictly  as  in  Putorius  (teeth 
34).  Form  elongate ;  forehead  arched  and  broad ;  muzzle  short;  ears  short, 
broad  at  base,  triangular,  closely  furry  both  sides ;  feet  covered  with  hair 
on  both  surfaces.  Tail  narrowly  cylindrical.  Pelage  finer  than  that  of  the 
Mink  or  Pine  Marten,  and  even  shorter  (relatively)  than  that  of  the  Er- 
mine ;  the  outer  hairs  few,  short,  and  coarse.  All  the  pelage  white  at  the 
roots ;  the  bases  of  the  longer  hairs  with  a  yellowish  tinge,  their  ends  broadly 
reddish-brown ;  soft  under  fur  white,  with  a  yellowish  tinge,  giving  the 
animal  on  the  back  a  yellowish-brown  appearance,  in  some  parts  approach- 
ing to  rufous ;  on  the  sides  and  rump,  the  color  is  a  little  lighter,  gradually 
fading  into  yellowish-white.  Nose,  ears,  sides  of  head,  throat,  under  surface 
of  neck,  belly,  and  under  surface  of  tail  white ;  a  shade  of  brownish  on  the 
chest  between  the  fore  legs.  A  broad  black  patch  on  the  forehead,  enclosing 
the  eyes  and  reaching  near  the  tip  of  the  nose  ;  legs  to  near  the  shoulders 
and  hips  brownish-black ;  end  of  tail  black  for  about  two  inches. 

Type  procured  by  Mr.  Alexander  Culbertson  on  the  lower  waters  of  the 
Platte.  Stated  to  inhabit  the  wooded  parts  of  the  country  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  and  to  be  perhaps  found  beyond  that  range,  though  not  observed 
by  any  travellers  from  Lewis  and  Clarke  to  the  ptesent  day.  Habits  said  to 
resemble  those  of  the  Ferret  of  Europe.  "  It  feeds  on  birds,  small  reptiles 
and  [other]  animals,  eggs  and  various  insects,  and  is  a  bold  and  cunning  foe 
to  the  rabbits,  bares,  grouse  and  other  game  of  our  western  regions.' 

t  Dr.  J.  E.  Gray,  for  instance,  with  characteristic  sagacity,  queried  it 
amidst  a  number  of  purely  nominal  species  he  admitted  without  question. 


150 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


;! 


P 

.dm 


I,; 


saspected  of  inventiilg  it  to  embellish  his  work.  I  have,  there- 
fore, the  greater  pleasure  in  bjing  able  to  present  a  full  account 
of  the  species. 

The  first  specimen  known  after  the  type  was  a  fragment  of  a 
skin  which  for  some  years  lay  unrecognized  in  the  National 
Museum  at  Washington.  According  to  my  present  recollec- 
tion, the  object  being  not  at  hand,  it  consists  of  a  squarish 
piece  of  the  skin  of  the  lower  back,  with  the  tail  attached. 

A  second  specimen  (No.  11932)  lately  reached  the  same  mu- 
seum, but  unfortunately  in  very  defective  state  of  preservation. 
It  was  procured  from  some  point  on  the  Platte  Eiver,  and  pre- 
sented by  Mr.  J.  W.  Munyou,  or  Muuyou.  The  skull  was 
smashed  to  pieces.  I  was  only  enabled  to  determine  that  the 
animal  had  thirty-four  teeth,  and  was  therefore  Putorius,  not 
Muatelttj  and  that  its  relationships  appeared  to  be  with  the 
European  P.fwtidus  group.* 

Being  so  short  of  the  necessary  material  when  I  began  to 
study  this  group,  I  caused  an  advertisement  of  my  wants,  with 
a  description  of  the  species,  to  be  inserted  in  several  of  the 
sporting  newspapers,  and  extensively  copied  by  papers  of  the 
region  inhabited  by  the  species.  This  had  the  gratifying  re- 
sult that  in  a  short  time  the  required  specimens  were  received 
at  the  Smithsonian  Institution ;  and  my  thanks  are  due  to 
several  gentlemen  who  kindly  interested  themselves  in  the 
matter. 

The  third  specimen  (counting  the  above-mentioned  scrap  of 
skin  as  one)  was  brought  to  Washington  by  Dr.  F.  V.  Hayden, 
Director  of  the  tJnited  States  Geological  Survey.  This  one 
was  taken  by  Dr.  Law,  in  the  valley  of  the  Cache  La  Poudre 
Eiver,  near  the  northern  border  of  Colorado.  It  was  in  better 
condition  than  Mr.  Munyon's,  but  still  defective,  having  lost 
part  of  the  tail  and  most  of  the  head,  which  had  been  shattered 
by  a  rifle-ball.  The  length  of  this  individual  was  about  eighteen 
inches  to  the  root  of  the  tail.  Dr.  Hayden  informed  me  that  it 
had  been  shot  at  the  mouth  of  a  prairie-dog  hole,  of  which  it 
had  taken  possession,  and  that  its  stomach  contained  remains 
of  one  of  these  quadrupeds.  He  also  spoke  to  me  of  another 
individual,  kept  for  some  time  in  confinement  at  Greeley,  Colo- 

*The  whitishness  about  the  mouth  and  ears  of  P.foetidus,  contrasting  with 
dark  parts,  gives  somewhat  the  appearance  of  a  stripe  across  the  face,  which 
is  perfected  in  C.  nigHpea,  in  which  the  face-markings  recall  those  of  the 
Orison,  GalictU  vitUtta. 


ACCOUNT    OF    THE   AMERICAN    FERRET. 


151 


rado,  which  had  also  been  secured  in  a  prairie-dog  town ;  and 
represented  the  species  as  being  not  at  all  rare,  though  very 
difficult  to  obtain,  owing  to  the  facilities  for  its  retreat  into  the 
safe  recesses  of  the  burrows  of  the  Marmots. 

Shortly  afterward  a  fourth  specimen  came  to  hand  from  Fort 
Wallace,  Kansas,  where  the  animal  is  said  to  be  called  the 
"prairie-dog  hunter",  from  the  habits  indicated  in  the  preced- 
ing paragraph.  This  individual,  sent  by  Mr.  L.  H.  Kerrick, 
fairly  well  mounted,  was  the  first  I  had  seen  with  the  head  and 
tail  complete  and  in  good  preservation. 

Another  specimen,  from  Wyoming  or  the  contiguous  portion 
of  Colorado,  was  sent  to  Prof.  Baird  bj'  my  friend,  Oapt.  James 
Gilliss,  of  the  Army,  then  stationed  at  Cheyenne  Depot,  Wyo- 
ming.   This  one  I  think  I  have  not  seen. 

Still  another  specimen,  important  as  extending  the  known 
geographical  distribution  of  the  species,  was  very  recently  re- 
ceived at  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  from  Mr.  C.  Cavileer,  of 
Pembina,  Dakota.  This  was  procured  on  Milk  River,  Mon- 
tana. 

I  am  informed  by  Prof.  Baird  that  two  living  specimens  were 
sent  from  some  part  of  the  West  to  New  York,  one  of  which 
died  en  route,  and  was  probably  thrown  away ;  of  the  ultimate 
disposition  of  the  latter  I  do  not  know. 

Mrs.  M.  A.  Maxwell,  a  well-known  naturalist  and  taxidermist, 
of  Boulder,  Colorado,  who  made  a  remarkably  fine  Centennial 
exhibit  of  the  animals  of  Colorado  at  the  late  Int  ational 
Exposition,  at  Philadelphia,  procured  two  or  three  .  pecimens 
in  the  vicinity  of  Denver.  They  were  taken  on  the  prairie 
land  in  dog-towns.  These  specimens,  very  nicely  prepared,  I 
had  the  pleasure  of  inspecting  when  Mrs.  Maxwell's  collection 
was  on  exhibition  in  Washington,  during  the  winter  of  1876-77. 
One  of  them  had  been  "drowned  out"  of  a  prairie-dog  hole, 
and  kept  for  some  time  in  captivity.  It  became,  I  am  informed, 
quite  tame,  though  it  was  furious  when  first  captured. 

The  skull  from  which  the  foregoing  cranial  and  dental  charac- 
ters were  drawn  up  was  sent  from  Nebraska  by  the  late  Mr.  W. 
F.  Parker,  formerly  editor  of  the  "American  Sportsman ",  in 
which  one  of  my  advertisements  was  inserted.  I  do  not  know 
whether  or  not  it  was  accompanied  by  a  skin.  It  is  No.  14530 
of  the  National  Museum. 

No.  11932  shows  the  characteristic  black  facial  stripe,  black 
feet,  and  black  end  of  the  tail.     The  general  light  brownish- 


mi  <n 


I 


152 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


white  color  aud  character  of  the  pelage  are  peculiar.  The  coat 
is  very  short  aud  close,  the  individual  hairs  appearing  scarcely 
longer  than  those  of  a  Stoat ;  there  is  nothing  of  the  length  ot 
pelage  of  either  Mink,  Polecat,  or  Marten.  The  fur  is  every- 
where, even  on  the  darkest  part  of  the  back,  white  at  the  roots, 
and  on  the  under  parts  it  is  entirely  white,  excepting  a  faint 
brownish  discoloration.  There  is  a  stronger  tinge  of  pale  brown 
on  the  back,  and  a  certain  dorsal  area  shows  blackish- brown 
tips  of  the  hairs,  not  strongly  pronounced  enough,  however,  to 
materially  alter  the  general  cast  of  the  parts.  The  tail  has 
nothing  of  the  bushy  character  seen  in  a  Mink  or  Polecat,  be- 
ing cylindrical,  close-haired,  scarcely  enlarged  at  the  terminal 
brush,  and  relatively  as  slender  as  that  of  a  Stoat.  As  far  as 
can  be  judged,  this  specimen  agrees  closely  with  the  dimensions 
assigned  by  Audubon. 

Dr.  Hayden's  specimen,  in  better  order,  corresponds  closely 
in  coloration  with  that  just  described:  it  is  dingy  whitish  all 
over,  with  a  slight  brownish  cast  on  the  upper  parts,  and  a 
dorsal  area  of  sparse  dark  brown  streakiness.  All  four  paws 
are  quite  black ;  on  the  fore  legs,  these  black  stockings  run  up 
to  the  shoulder  all  around  the  limb,  except  on  the  outer  sur- 
face, where  a  pale  line  extends  down  from  the  body.  On  the 
hind  limbs,  the  black  is  more  restricted,  soon  fading  into  smoky- 
brown  below  the  knee.  A  Ine  along  the  soles  is  whitish.  There 
is  a  curious  blackish  stripe  through  the  umbilicus.  The  feet 
are  remarkable  for  the  great  length  of  the  numerous  bristles  on 
the  toes,  projecting  far  beyond  and  almost  hiding  the  claws;  the 
palms  and  soles  are  densely  furry.  The  specimen  equals  a  very 
large  Mink  in  size. 

The  Kansas  specimen  affords  some  additional  characters,  es- 
pecially relating  to  the  general  shape.  The  body  seems  pro- 
portionally as  slender  and  the  neck  as  long  as  in  an  Ermine. 
The  tail- vertebrae  are  only  about  five  inches  long,  decidedly  less 
than  one-third  of  the  length  of  the  head  and  body,  which  is 
apparently  some  eighteen  or  nineteen  inches,  but  is  perhaps 
stretched.  The  circumference  of  the  body  is  about  seven  inches. 
The  slender  tail  has  no  enlarged  terminal  brush.  The  physi- 
ognomy and  general  aspect  is  rather  that  of  an  overgrown  Wea- 
sel than  of  a  Mink  or  Ferret.  The  ears  are  very  prominent, 
perhaps  even  more  so  than  those  of  a  Stoat,  and  are  not  per- 
fectly orbicular,  having  an  obtuse  point  at  the  highest  part  of 
the  border;  they  measure,  in  their  present  state,  1.10  above 


EXTRALIMITAL    SPECIES   OF   PUTORIUS. 


153 


notch,  0.70  above  head.  The  longest  whiskers  (black)  reach 
to  the  back  of  the  ear;  others  grow  ou  the  chiu,  the  cheeks 
back  of  the  angle  of  the  mouth,  and  on  the  forehead.  The 
brownish-black  mask  is  well  contrasted  with  nearly  white  sur- 
roundings, except  on  the  forehead,  where  the  dingy  brownish 
of  the  upper  parts  extends  to  it.  The  ears  are  mostly  white, 
with  a  dark  touch  at  the  lower  front  border.  The  dingy 'brown- 
ish of  the  upper  parts  is  a  little  stronger  than  in  either  of  the 
two  other  specimens  here  described.  The  blackish  tip  of  the 
tail  is  about  one  and  a  half  inches  long. 

I  made  no  written  memoranda  of  my  examination  of  Mrs. 
Maxwell's  specimens,  but  remeuiber  that  they  presented  nothing 
requiring  special  comment,  being  fairly  illustrative  of  the  char- 
acters here  detailed. 

Audubon's  figure  is  unmistakable,  and  gives  a  very  fair  idea 
of  this  interesting  animal.  As  remarked  by  Prof.  Baird,  it 
is  singular  that  so  conspicuous  a  species  should  have  so  long 
eluded  the  observation  of  the  many  explorers  who  have  trav- 
ersed the  region  it  inhabits,  and  where,  apparently,  it  is  by  no 
means  rare.  Its  retiring  habits,  and  the  nature  of  its  resorts, 
doubtless  tend  to  screen  it.  In  the  summer  of  1876, 1  conducted 
a  natural  history  party  through  the  region  supposed  to  be  its 
centre  of  abundance,  where  Dr.  Hayden's  and  Captain  Gilliss's 
specimens  were  secured ;  but  I  failed  to  obtain  a  sight  of  it, 
though  I  was  in  the  midst  of  prairie-dog  towns,  and  continu- 
ally on  the  watch  for  this  particular  animal.  The  geographical 
distribution  above  assigned  will  probably  require  to  be  consid- 
erably enlarged. 


ADDENDUM  TO  CHAPTER  V. 


On  the  species  of  the  extralimital  suhyenus  PuTORius. 

lu  further  illustration  of  the  genus  Putoriiis,  I  wish  to  introduce  a  notice 
of  the  extralimital  species  of  the  subgenus  Pntorius,  which,  as  already  said, 
includes  the  Fitches,  Ferrets  or  Polecats.* 

No  representatives  of  this  particular  group  are  indigenous  to  America,  but 
the  Ferret  is  extensively  bred,  in  confinement  or  semi-domestication,  for  the 
purpose  of  hunting  rats,  rabbits,  &c. 

*  The  untechnical  reader  must  not  confound  the  proper  use  of  the  term 
"  polecat "  for  the  Ferret  group,  with  its  frequent  application  in  this  coun- 
try to  the  Skunks  (.l/ejjfti/utte). 


154 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTEl.IDiE. 


I 


The  Subgenus  PUTORIUS. 

For  the  cliaraoters  of  Una  group  Hee  anted,  p.  Qi).  The  nonpareil  note  on 
p.  74  is  equally  applicable  to  the  synonymy  of  the  following  extralimital 
speoies  of  the  subgenuH. 

1.  Butorlum  tcBtldu:— Polecat  or  Fileh. 

Plate  VIII. 
Mustria  pulorlUN,  L.  8.  N.  i.  10th  od.  1758,  46,  no.  5 ;  S.  N.  ii.  ITfifl,  67,  no.  l.—Sehrfb.  Sttiig.  iii. 

1778, 485,  pi.  131.— (/»».  8.  N.  i.  1788,  •il.—liechH.  Natiirg.  i.  479.— i'aM.  ZooR.  K  -A.  i.  1811, 

87.— />mm.  Mnmni.  i.  1880,  177,  no.  271. -F;-.  Ow.  Mamm.  il.  Z\.—Flem.  Br.  An.  1888, 

14.— /en.  Br.  Vort.  18^5,  W.—BHl,  Br.  Quad.  1837, 15(i,  tig.;  2(1  ed.  1874,  iOX—SelysL.  Fu. 

Bolg.  1843,  9.—niainv.  Compt.  Kend.  xiv.  1843, 210 sHq.  pis.  —.—achiiu,  Syu.  1844, 339.— 

Oieb.  Odout.  33 ;  Siiuj;.  1855, 779. 
Tlverra  putoriUM,  Shaw,  Gen.  Zoo),  i.  1800,  415. 
FflBtorlUM  pulorlUM,  Keyi.  (f  Blag.  ^Vcrb.  Eur.  i.  1840, 08,  no.  143.— 7i{a«.  Wirb,  Doutachl.  1857, 

222,  X.  l^.—Chatin,  Ann.  Sci.  Kat.  5tb  aer.  xix.  1874,  98  (anatomioal). 
MuHtela  rtetldn,  '•Klein." 
PutoriUN  ftctldUH,  Cray,  List  Mamm.  Br.  Mns.  1843,  04;  P.  Z.  S.  1865,  109;  Cat.  Carn.  Br. 

Hus.  1869, 87.— Gcrr.  Cat.  Bones  Br.  Mus.  1802, 92. 
PutorlUH  verus,  Bf.— Brandt,  Bern.  Wlrb.  Nord.  Eur.  Russl.  26. 
PutorlUH  communlH,  "  Out>.  R.  A."— (Gray.) 
Putorlui)  typus  "F.  Ouv."—(Orav.) 
PutorlUM  VUlKaris,  Grif.  Cuv.  R.  A.  v.  1827, 120,  no.  339  {\.o.  p.  131,  no.  344).— i'it;.  Naturg. 

8auK.  i.  1861,  328,  f.  68. 

Putois,  Buff.  niat.  Nat  vii. ,  199,  pi.  Iii. 

Polecat,  Fitch,  Fitctaet,  Fitchew,  Foumart,  Fulmart  or  Fullmart,  EnglUh.—Penn.  Brit. 

Zool.  i.  89,  pi.  6. 
IltiN,  Oerman,  of.  v.  Martent,  Zoiil.  Gart.  zi.  1870, 275  (philological). 
WIcha,  Madral,  Selj/t-L.  I.  c. 

Form  stout ;  oars  short  and  rounded ;  tail  rather  bushy,  oylindric-tapering, 
about  one-third  the  head  and  body ;  fur  very  long  and  loose  on  most  parts 
ofthe  body  (the  well-known  "fitch"  of  commerce),  yellowish-brown,  over- 
laid with  glossy  blackish-brown,  the  tail,  legs,  and  chest  mostly  bkickish ; 
head  dark,  the  ears,  a  space  in  front  of  them,  lips  and  chin,  usually  white. 
Varies  interminably  in  proportion  of  the  yellowish  and  blackish,  Length 
about  16  inches ;  tail  5^ ;  head  2f ;  ears  i.  The  name  Polecat  is  probably 
a  contraction  of  Polish  cat.  Foumart,  «fec.,  are  merely  Foul  Mart,  in  distinc- 
tion from  the  Muatelas,  or  "  Sweet "  Marts,  the  odor  in  this  species  being  much 
more  disgusting.    The  animal  inhabit>s  Europe. 

la.  Var.  tnro.—The  Ferret. 
Mustela  furo,  L.  S.  N.  i.  1766, 68,  no.  %.—Schreh.  Siiug.  ill.  1778,  -,  pi.  133.— Om.  S.  N.  i.  1788, 
91.—De*m.  Mamm.  i.  1820, 178,  no.  273.— Jen.  Br.  Vert.  1835,  n.—FUch.  Syn.  1839, 219.— 
Bell,  Br.  Quad.  1837,  161,  &g.—ScUw,  Syn.  1844,  340.— Pr.  Ouo.  Mamm.  ii.  22.— Owfr. 
Odont.  33,  pi.  12,  f.  8 ;  Siiug.  1855,  780. 
Tlverra  Hiro,  Shaw,  Gen.  Zoiil.  i.  1800,  418. 

FCBtoriUi  faro,  Ohatin,  Ann.  Sci.  Nat  5th  ser.  xlz.  1874,  98  (anatomical). 
Hu8tela  pntorius  var.,  Flem.  Br.  An.  1838, 14. 
Putorius  TUlgarlB  var.  furo,  Oriff.  Cuv.  R.  A.  v.  1837, 130,  no.  339  a. 
PutoriUB  fCBtldOS  vars.  turo,  BUbmro,  Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 110;  Cat  Cam.  Br.  Mus.  1869, 87. 

Ferret,  EnglUh.—Penn.  Brit.  Zool.  i. ,  91. 

Furet,  Furet  Putoire,  French.— Buff.  Hist.  Nat  vii ,  309,  pi.  26. 

Frett,  Frettel,  Frettehen,  GentMn.—Blou.  Wirb.  Deutsobl.  1857, 325. 

This  is  the  well-known  tame  Ferret,  now  only  recognized  in  a  state  of  do- 
mestication. It  is  smaller  and  slenderer  than  the  Fitch,  yellowish-white  or 
white,  with  pink  eyes.  This  is  an  excellent  example  of  a  "variety",  prop- 
erly so  called,  in  distinction  from  a  geographical  race.    The  root  of  all  the 


BREEDING   AND    HANDLING    OF    FERllETS. 


155 


varions  vernacular  iiamoa  (there  are  many  otherH  than  thcwe  above  given) 
Heeuis  to  be  the  Latin  fur,  a  tliief.  There  may  also,  aa  has  been  Huggewted, 
be  a  relationship  with  the  Latin  vivvrra,  by  which  name  the  present,  among 
other  species,  seems  to  have  been  known  to  the  ancients. 

The  rearing  of  Ferrets  seems  to  be  a  growing  industry  in  this  country, 
though  still  not  practiced  to  the  extent  it  is  iu  Europe.  The  following 
iirticle,  entitled  "  Ferret  Breeding  and  Handling",  by  Mr.  F.  Mather,  apjteared 
in  the  "American  Sportsmiiii  "  (newspaper)  of  November  28,  1874  : — 

"I  have  had  several  iiuiuiries  of  late  from  readers  of  the  Si'oiitsman  con- 
cerning the  breeding,  management  and  hunting  of  ferrets,  together  with 
itivitations  to  write  it  up.  It  appears  somewhat  singular  that  no  one  has 
done  this  before,  at  least  I  do  not  remember  to  have  seen  anything  on  the 
subject  in  any  American  paper,  and  this  fact  causes  me  to  comply  with  the 
request  more  readily  than  I  should  have  done  had  others  with  more  experi- 
ence volunteered  to  publish  it. 

"  Practical  details  having  been  asked  for,  we  will  consider  them  as  they 
are  in  our  day,  and  not  stop  to  trace  their  origin  nor  where  first  used.  We 
have  two  varieties,  the  brown  or  '  fitch-ferret,'  and  the  white  one.  The 
latter  is  probably  an  albino,  as  its  eyes  are  pink ;  l)nt  it  breeds  true  to  color 
every  time,  possibly  a  '  sport,'  as  the  ilorists  say,  that  has  been  perpetuated. 
The  white  ones  seem  to  be  in  most  favor  for  some  unknown  reason,  judging 
from  the  inquiries  that  I  have  received.  I  keep  both  kinds,  and  have  them 
mixed,  and  don't  see  any  difference  in  hunting  cpialities,  and  can  only  account 
for  the  preference  on  the  ground  that  the  white  ones  are  thought  to  be  the 
prettiest  pets.  Having  no  strong  local  attachments,  they  require  to  be  con- 
stantly confined,  although  instances  have  been  known  whore  they  were  at 
liberty  and  did  not  go  away  ;  still,  as  they  are  just  as  good  for  chickens  as 
for  rats  and  rabbits,  it  is  best  not  to  trust  them  too  far.  Two  or  three  ani- 
mals may  be  kept  in  a  common  shoe-box  with  slats  or  wire-cloth  fronts,  a 
box  for  a  nest  in  one  corner,  and  a  drawer  containing  coal-ashe^  or  earth  in 
another.  This  should  be  emptied  often  and  renewed ;  they  will  make  all 
their  muss  here  and  will  then  keep  clean  and  healthy.  A  cellar  is  not  a 
good  place  for  them — too  damp  and  cold ;  a  yard  or  wood-shed  is  better.  I 
have  a  ferret-yard  made  for  the  purpose,  built  of  hemlock  boards ;  it  is  six- 
teen feet  long  by  six  wide;  the  sides  are  four  feet  high,  the  boards  running  up 
and  down  to  prevent  climbing  ;  it  is  also  tloored  to  prevent  digging.  I  have 
in  this  at  present  eighteen  ferrets,  but  could  accommodate  fifty,  as  they  only 
foul  one  corner.  A  tin  spout  conveys  milk  into  the  feeding-pan,  and  meat 
is  thrown  over.  Their  nest  is  a  box  with  a  cover ;  it  is  full  of  straw,  and  a 
hole  in  one  side  is  the  door.  One-half  will  be  covered  this  winter  to  keep 
the  snow  off. 

"  They  will  shiver  in  the  summer,  and  it  is  not  good  to  keep  them  in  too 
warm  a  place  if  they  are  expected  to  hunt  in  the  snow ;  but  a  small  box  of 
straw  where  they  can  huddle  up  together  and  so  keep  warm  is  sufficient.  I 
saw  three  ferrets  last  summer  in  a  small  box  that  was  sheet-ironed  inside 
(the  owner  thought  that  they  could  gnaw  like  rats),  where  the  poor  things 
had  lived  for  a  month  in  their  tilth.  It  was  horrible  enough  to  breed  a  pes- 
tilence ;  in  fact  it  did  breed  one  for  the  ferrets.  I  told  the  owner  so,  but  he 
thought  not.    Mr.  Bergh  should  have  seen  that ! 

"  They  will  keep  very  clean  if  they  have  a  chance,  but  will  drag  food  into 
their  nests  and  store  it  if  they  have  too  much  at  any  time.    This  can  be 


«)!' 


% 


B?l  *  ^^ 


rcit  j 


I 

i 


i 


156 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


\i\ 


i: 


|i  m 


"ii 


partially  KO'^rdod  aKuiiiNt,  in  the  ciiho  of  boiios  and  lar^e  i)iocKH,  by  miikin^; 
tho  eutrauce  an  Hiiiall  uh  iioHNil)lo.  Wo  feud  Nkiiuiiied  milk,  bcef-lieadH,  and 
othur  moats ;  Halt  muat  Ih  Haid  to  produce  Ncurvy.  Milk  fatteus  a  ferret  very 
rapidly,  and  tliey  are  ai)t  to  jjet  too  fat>  on  tliin  diet. 

"  My  monuj;erie  is  run  upon  economical  principles,  and  it  \n  a  hard  Hpocimon 
of  either  animal  or  vegetable  that  iIoch  not  find  a  consumer.  A  kin^lisher 
hovoriiiK  over  tlio  ponds  is  apt  to  tumble  in ;  he  is  then  skinned,  and  if  the 
lish  aio  not  hungry  it  goes  to  the  ferrets.  A  fat  woodchuck  goes  in — there's 
provision  for  several  days.  A  hen-hawk  "  towering  in  his  pride  of  place" 
over  my  young  fowl,  often  finds  a  lasting  repose  in  the  ferret-yard ;  while 
the  refuse  of  fresh  (ish  is  also  eagerly  devoured.  Chicken  Iieads  often  afford 
an  occasional  variety.  I  have  a  pair  of  mink  who  will  eat  as  much  in  one 
day  as  two  ferrets  would  in  three  ;  they  will  devour  the  entire  carcass  of  a 
muskrat  in  twenty-four  hours. 

"  In  handling  a  ferret  take  it  with  tho  hand  around  the  ribs,  and  if  it 
struggles  let  its  fore  legs  go  through  the  fingers ;  they  do  not  like  to  bo  held 
below  the  ribs.  Do  not  handle  young  ferrets  until  nearly  grown  ;  do  not 
handle  a  female  about  to  have  a  litter.  Their  period  of  gestation  is  about 
forty-five  days  I  think, — can't  speak  positively  on  this  point, — it  may  be  a 
few  days  more  or  less ;  they  usually  have  a  litter  of  from  five  to  ten  in  May 
or  June.  I  have  hoard  of  vhoir  having  two  litters  in  one  season,  but  it  has 
never  occurred  with  mo.  When  about  to  have  young,  put  each  female  in  a 
box  by  herself,  and  don't  let  the  young  run  with  the  old  male  until  they  can 
use  their  teeth  to  defend  themselves.  I  prefer  to  say  male  and  female, 
though  some  call  them  dog-ferret  ani  bitch ;  and  last  winter  a  man  in  Buf- 
falo said, '  In  the  hold  country  we  calls  'em  a  'ob  and  a  gill.' 

"  lu  bandling  wild  ferrets  put  on  a  pair  of  leather  gloves  and  pick  tbem 
np,  rub  their  heads  and  pat  them,  and  in  a  few  days  you  can  take  your  bare 
hand.  Now  a  word  about  'trained'  ferrets.  That  is  all  humbug.  A  fer- 
ret that  is  tame  and  well  handled  will  go  into  a  hole  and  go  to  the  bottom 
of  it,  and  come  out  if  it  finds  nothing;  hunting  is  their  nature,  and  a  little 
fasting  stimulates  them  wonderfully.  Those  kept  for  rats  are  generally 
worked  with  dogs ;  and  although  I  have  often  run  the  rats  out  of  my  barn 
with  them,  it  is  especially  for  rabbit  hunting  that  I  keep  them.  They  are 
of  no  use  for  the  large  white  rabbit,  but  I  used  to  find  that  the  little  gray 
fellow  that  abounds  in  the  vicinity  of  Honeoye  Falls  had  a  very  unsocial 
way  of  sitting  in  his  hole  under  ground  and  declining  to  come  out  and  have 
fun,  but  since  I  have  used  ferrets  he  has  changed  his  habits.  With  the 
sneaking  method  of  netting  the  rabbit  at  the  mouth  of  the  hole  when  driven 
out  with  a  ferret  I  have  no  kind  of  sympathy,  but  as  '  Molly  Cotton '  clears 
the  hole  with  a  ten-foot  bound  after  passing  a  ferret,  and  keeps  going 
faster  if  possible,  often  into  a  thicket,  it  is  sport  to  stop  her.  Some  prefer  a 
very  small  ferret,  as  they  use  them  without  a  muzzle  and  they  cannot  hold 
a  rabbit  as  a  large  one  does ;  but  I  prefer  a  good  stout  fellow,  and  if  he  is 
disposed  to  kill  a  rabbit  (their  dispositions  vary)  I  muzzle  him.  A  mnzxle 
is  made  of  a  small  piece  of  leather  shaped  like  a  letter  T,  a  little  wider  at 
the  bottom  however ;  a  string  is  put  in  each  end  of  the  top  and  one  in  each 
lower  corner,  the  leather  is  put  under  his  chin  and  the  top  piece  tied 
aronnd  his  nose ;  the  other  two  strings  are  tied  behind  his  ears.  Some  have 
the  lips  pierced,  and  after  healing  they  are  tied  shut.  I  have  never  tried 
this,  nor  breaking  the  teeth,  which  latter  practice  is  brutal.    The  ferret  can 


PUTORIUH    F(KTIDU.S,  VAli. — P.  8ARMATICUS. 


157 


bo  cftrried  in  a  bajj,  with  drnwu  Btrinjj.  HtniiiK  over  tho  Bhouldor,  or  in  a 
tiglitly-buttoiictl  coat  pocket.  Ah  tho  animal  I'lijoys  itH  Hhort  liberty  when 
liuntin^  and,  however  tame  it  may  be,  does  not  want  to  go  into  the  ba^ 
again  wlille  yon  move  on  ;  it  is  always  best  to  lot  it  get  ton  feet  or  more 
from  the  hole  before  yon  attempt  to  pick  it  np  or  it  may  dodge  back  and 
refuse  to  come  out.  Tn  this  case  tie  a  rabbit  on  a  stick  and  put  it  down  and 
the  ferret  will  follow  out. 

"  If  the  leather  muzzle  don't  work,  or  gets  lost,  you  can  improvise  one 
with  u  string  by  making  a  loop  that  will  not  get  larger  or  smaller,  and  put 
it  over  his  nose  and  then  tie  behind  his  ears,  taking  care  to  have  the  knot 
nr.ier  his  throat  and  the  last  tie  on  top  of  his  head. 

"  In  England  I  believe  they  use  small  bolls  on  their  rat-ferrets  to  tell  their 
whereabouts.  In  conclusion  I  would  say,  if  you  use  ferrets  for  rats  don't 
trust  a  strange  dog  with  them,  and  if  for  rabbits  don't  stand  in  front  of  the 

hole." 

l*".  Var.  evcrsmaniil.-  /SiftcnVin  VoU-cat. 

Mustt'ln  puloriUNf,  LicM.  Eversm.  Koisc,  23 ;  ref.  to  Pallaa,  i.  Zook-  89,  nnte,  but  not  MuHeln 

eiliinca  Pall.  i6i(/.  p.  IK). 
MiiNlela  pulorlus  mr.  everNmannI,  FUcher,  Syn.  182!),  aio. 
Mustria  evrrsmannl,  Lam.  Man.  Wn,  144,  nu.  3'9.-Sfhim,  Syn.  1844,  339. 
PutoriUN  evrrsmttniil,  dray,  P.  Z.  .S.  1865,  109;  Cat.  Carn.  lit.  Mub.  1869,  87. 
MuslriB  pulorlUM,  Blyth,  "J.  A.  S.  V  xi.  281."— (Ornv) 
Mustelu  putorius  thlbelanlus,  Hodgs.  "J.  A.  S.  B.  xxili,  1849,  446,"— (flroy.) 

This  is  the  Asiatic  Polecat,  which  appears  to  have  been  tirst  noted  by 
Pallas,  in  text  of  p.  89  of  the  Zoograpbia,  from  Siberia.  This  is  to  be  care- 
fully distinguished  from  the  Mnniela  sibirica  of  Pallas,  p.  90,  a  very  different 
anitnal,  elsewhere  noticed  in  the  present  work.  It  is  apparently  but  little  if 
any  different  from  P.  J'wtidiis,  to  which  Blasius  assigns  it  without  query.  Cer- 
tain cranial  differences  adduced  by  Gray  may  require  confirmation.  I  have 
seen  no  speciuions  of  the  supposed  species. 

t.  Pntorlns  sarmatlciiH.— ^putft'd  Polecat. 
.UuMela  »tarmatlra,  I'nll.  Itln.  i.  1771.  453 ;  Spic.  Zool.  neO,  xiv.  79,  pi.  4,  f.  1 ;  Zoog.  R.-A.  i. 

,1831,  ed.—Frxl.  Syst.  Anim.  1777,  460,  no.  G.—Schreb.  Siiug.  iii.  1778,  490,  pi.  133  (from 

Gnlden8tadt).-Zimm.  Geogr^Qeeell.  ii.  1780, 305,  no.  201.— 0»».  8.  N.  1. 1788, 97,  no.  15.- 

Turt.  S.  N.  i.  1806, 60.—Deim.  Mamm.  1.  1820,  178,  no.  204  j  Nonv.  Diet.  xix.  371 ;  Ency. 

M6th.  pi.  88,  f.  i.—Fr.  Our.  Diet.  Sci.  Nat  xxix.  1823, 252,  no.  9.— Is.  Geoff.  Diet.  Class,  x. 

il2.— Fitch.  Syn.  1829,  220.— icM.  Man.  1827,  145.-,Sc/ii»»«,  Syn.  1844,  3iO.—Oieb.  Saug. 

1855, 760. 
VIverra  Narmatlca,  Shaw,  Gen.  Zo81.  i.  1800,  430  ("Sarmatla  Weesel "). 
Fffitorlus  ^armalicus,  Keys.  <£  Blas.Wirh.  Ear.  1840, 08,  no.  UH.—Blaii.  Wirb.  Dents.  1857, 226. 
Putortus  sarmaliCUS,  Griff.  Cuv.  K.  A.  v.  1827,  121,  no.  343.— Gmy,  List  Mamiu.  Br.  Mas. 

1843,  64;  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 110;  Cat.  Carn.  Br.  Mns.  1869,  88. 
MUNtrIa  perfKUsna,  Otild.  N.  Comm.  Petrop.  xiv.  1769, 441,  pi.  10  (pereniuina  is  also  found). 
MUHteia  pricclncta,  BzaczyntH,  Hist  Nat  "ol.  1736,  328. 
Vormela,  Gean.  Quad.  1551,  768. 

Pereguzna,  Prrewlaska,  FrzewiaRka,  FarH.'la!«ta,  I'all.  Itin.  I.  e. 
TlKeriltls,  Orfleckte  litis,  German. 
Harmatler,  MHU.  Naturs.  Suppl.  1776,  33. 
Peronasra,  Bnff.  Hist.  Nat.  xv. 
Putol8  4e  Polognp,  Ouv.  R.  A.  i.  148. 
Marte  <k  celuture,  Lest.  I.  c 

This  remarkably  distinct  species  is  black,  on  the  upper  parts  brown  spotted 
with  yellow,  the  ecrs  and  a  frontal  band  white.  It  inhabits  Eastern  Europe, 
Poland,  and  Russia. 


(  s 


:j/ 


H::. 


m 


:,{-i 


;  * 


ii ' 


sU 


If   I 


r  "T- 


CHAPTEK    VI. 


\m 


r-K 


MUSTELIN^E— Continued:  The  Mink. 

The  subgenus  Lutreola — Subgererlc  characters  and  remarks — Putorius  vison, 
the  American  Mink — Synonymy — Habitat — Specific  characters — i,«!.8crip- 
tion  of  external  characters — Measurements — Variation  in  external  char- 
acters— Variation  in  the  skull — Comparison  with  the  European  Mink — 
Notice  of  allied  Old  World  species,  P.  hitrepla  and  P.  aihiricus — General 
history  and  habits  of  tho  Mink — "  Minkeries". 

WE  come  now  to  consider  a  particular  modification  of  the 
genus  Putorius,  in  adaptation  to  an  aquatic  mode  of  life. 
Both  the  foregoing  subdivisions  of  the  genus  comprehend  ter- 
restrial and  more  or  less  arboreal  species ;  the  present  one,  Lu- 
treola, consists  of  species  which  are  scarcely  less  aquatic  than 
the  Otters  themselves;  and  the  consequent  modifications,  both 
in  cranical  and  external  characters,  are  decided. 

The  Subgenus  LUTREOLA.    (Wagner.) 

The  leading  ]>eculiarities  of  this  section  have  been  already 
pointed  out  (p.  100),  and  contrasted  with  those  of  Qale,  Cynomy 
onax,  and  Putorva  proper. 

The  skull  of  the  Mink  bears  out  the  general  points  of  "build" 
which  distinguish  Putorius  at  large  from  Mustela — such  as  the 
short,  turgid,  truncate  rostrum,  comparatively  shallow  inter- 
pterygoid  emargination,  position  of  anteorbital  foramen,  &c.  As 
might  be  expected  from  consideration  of  the  habits  of  the  ani- 
mal, a  resemblance  to  the  cranium  of  an  Otter  is  better  marked 
in  this  than  in  other  sections  of  the  genus,  the  bullae  auditoriie, 
in  particular,  being  notably  flattened,  and  the  whole  upper  out- 
line of  the  skull  being  straightened.    In  its  own  genus,  the 

^semblances  of  the  skull  are  with  that  of  Putorius  proper  and 
of  Cynomyonax,  rather  than  with  that  of  Qale,  In  addition  to 
the  absolutely  much  greater  size  in  Lutrtola,  the  massiveuess 
of  the  skull,  with  the  strong  tlaring  sagittal  and  lambdoidal 
crests  defining  temporal  fossjv,  contrasts  strongly  with  the 
smooth  condition  of  the  parts  in  Qale.  In  L.  visoUf  there  is,  in 
158 


CHARACTERS    OF    SUBGENUS    LUTREOLA. 


169 


addition  to  the  comparative  flatness  of  the  auditory  bullae,  some 
constriction  and  outward  prolongation  of  the  meatus,  which  is 
not  seen  in  Gale  or  Cynomyotiax,  and  scarcely  indicated  in  Pu- 
to:iu8  proper.  The  frontal  outline  is  nearly  straight,  and  but 
little  sloping  (much  as  in  Lutra).  The  pterygoids  develop 
strong  hamular  processes,  also  seen  in  Putorius  proper,  but 
which  are  weak  or  wanting  in  Gale.  There  is  much  constric- 
tion of  the  skull  near  the  middle,  and  the  postorbital  processes 
are  well  developed. 

The  dentelure  of  Tmtreola  is  probably  the  strongest  to  be 
found  in  the  genus  P.t'orius  at  large,  and  there  is  reason  to  sup- 
pose that  it  reaiches  a  maximum  in  the  largo  North  American 
species  of  this  subgenus.  In  L.  visoHj*  the  teeth,  aside  from  the 
lesser  number  of  premolars,  are  singularly  like  those  of  Mustela 
marten,  as  a  matter  of  superficial  resemblance ;  and  the  supe- 
riority in  size  and  strength  over  those  of  Putorius  proper,  or  of 
Cynomyonax  (not  to  mention  Gale),  is  very  evident  on  compari- 
son. In  the  American,  if  not  in  other  species  of  Lutreola,  the 
following  points  may  be  specially  noted  : — 

The  back  upper  molar  is  of  relatively  large  size,  conspicu- 
ously exceeding  that  of  Putorius  foetidus  or  Cynomyonax  nigripes 
in  relative  as  well  as  absolute  bulk.  The  inner  moiety  is  much 
larger  than  the  outer  ;t  its  free  border  is  nearly  circular;  it  is 
divided  from  the  outer  by  a  strong  constriction ;  the  outer  is 
somewhat  trefoil-shaped.  The  inner  moiety  presents  a  raised 
rim  and  a  central  tubercle ;  the  outer  has  a  corresponding 
tubercle,  but  the  border  is  divided  into  two  prominences,  mak 
ing  three  in  all  on  this  half  of  the  tooth.  The  posterior  upper 
premolar  (sectorial  tooth)  shows  certain  characters  not  shared  by 
any  American  species  of  the  genus  at  large.  There  is  devel- 
oped, at  the  auteroexternal  corner  of  the  tooth,  a  decided  pro- 
cess or  spur,  only  less  in  size  than  the  ordinary  unterointernnl 
one  ;  and  the  projection  of  this  gives  to  the  outer  border  of  the 
tooth  a  decidedly  concave  outline.^  This  process,  together  with 
the  internal  one,  gives  the  fore  end  of  the  tooth  a  V-like  re- 

*I  hftve  not  been  able  to  examine  the  teeth  of  any  Old  WoiUl  species  of 
thiH  HnbgonuH. 

t  This  is  not  the  case  either  with  P.  fwtidus  or  <',  niyripes,  but  is  scarcelj'  a 
Nubgoueric  chart'.cter,  for  it  is  said  not  to  o«cur  in  the  European  species  of 
Luiriohi. 

}  There  is  a  trace  of  this  process  in  P./cetiditH  and  ('.  nigripe^i,  but  it  is  not 
sufflciently  developed  to  render  the  outer  border  of  the  tooth  concave,  nor 
to  make  a  V-rerntranco  at  the  fore  end. 


H 


m 


If    1        5 

t    \ 


f  i 


M 


A 


160 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^E. 


entrance,  into  which  the  antecedent  premolar  is  set.  Moreover, 
the  antero-internal  process,  instead  of  being  a  mere  heel  or  spur 
standing  off  from  the  tooth,  as  in  the  other  subgenera  here 
compared,  develops  into  a  strong,  conical,  acute  cusp,  some- 
times with  two  points.  The  back  lower  molar,  contrary  to  what 
might  have  been  expected,  is  absolutely  not  larger  than  that  of 
P./cetidns,*  and  therefore  smaller  relatively  to  the  general  de- 
velopment of  the  teeth.  The  anterior  lower  molar  (siectorial 
tooth)  develops  on  the  inner  side  a  slight  but  unmistakable 
8ui)plementary  tubercle,  like  that  so  evident  in  Mustela,  but 
smaller  ;  the  other  species  of  Putoriua  which  I  have  examined 
have  no  trace  of  this  lobe,  or  a  mere  rudiment.  And,  in  gen- 
eral, it  may  be  said  of  the  molars  and  premolars  of  Lutreola, 
that  their  various  cusps  are  better  developed  than  in  most,  if 
not  all,  other  sections  of  Putoriua. 

The  details  of  external  form  of  Lutreola  are  so  fully  given 
beyond  in  the  description  of  L.  vison  that  they  may  be  here 
omitted.  There  is  but  one  species  known  to  inhabit  North 
America,  very  closely  related  to  the  Mink  of  Europe.  The  al- 
leged differences  between  the  two  are  presented  further  on,  in 
concluding  a  discussion  of  their  aflinities. 

The  Aiii(;i*icaii  Ifliiik. 


PntorlnH  (Lutreoln)  tIsoii. 

Plate  IX. 
Mustela  Vl*on,  Urim.  Quail.  I7.5fi,  24fi,  no.  6  (from  Canadian  specinion,  same  as  described  by 

Jlullou  and  Vennutt). —Schicb.  Siiug.  ill.  177S,  463,  pi.  197  b.—Om.  S.  N.  i.  1788,  \H.—Turt. 

S.  N.  i.  1806,  58.— Our.  R.  A.  i.  1817,  150.— Hart.  Fn.  Aiuer.  1825,  63.— Leu.  Man.  1827, 

US.— Maxim.  Roiso,  i.  1839,  213.— Bfavnw.  OsttJogr.  Mustela,  pi.  13  (teetb). -Thomps. 

N.  n.  Vorra.  1853,  31. 
Mustela  (MartCN)  vIson,  Df»m.  Manini.  i.  1820, 183.— «ri/f.  Cuv.  R.  A.  v.  1827, 124. 
Muslela  (Fulorlus)  vtHon,  Itich.  V.  li.A.  i.  182<),  48,  no.  16. 
MuHlela  (Lutreola)  vlson,  IIV      Supitl.  Scbreb.  ii.  1841, 341. 
Lnlra  vNon,  .Shaw,  aeu.  Zoai.  i.  i800, 448  (based  on  the  Viton  of  Buifon). 
Putorlus  vison,  nai)p.  Zool.  Journ.  v.  1830,  Wi.-Emmont,  Uep.  Quad  Mass.  1840,  43.— £)«  K. 

N.  V.  Z.  i.  1842, 37,  pi.  11,  f.  1  (animal),  pi.  8,  f.  3,  A,  n  (skull).— 4ud.  d  Bach.  Q.  N.  A.  i. 

liH9,  2.'i0,  pl.as.- JTfnn.  Tr.  111.  .State  Af{ric.  Soc.  for  185i-4,  1855,  578.— 7Jee»J«y,  Gool. 

Cape  May,  1857,  137.— Brtuf/.  M.  N.  A.  1857,  177,  pi.  37,  f.  2,  3  (skulls) —A'ewft.  P.  R.  B. 

Rep.  vi.  1857,  42.— Ooop.  <f  Suckl.  N.  H.  "W.  T.  1860,  93,  m.-BiUing*,  Cauad.  Nat.  and 

Geol.  ii.  185t,  448.— i^»»(t,  up.  cit.  vi.  ItiCl,  29.— J/a«im.  Verz.  Am.  Saug.  1865,  52.-- 

Snm.  Am.  Rop.  Mass.  Agrio.  for  1861,  1802,  l.%7,  pi.  1,  f.  8.— 6i7pin,  Tr.  N.  Scotia  Inst. 

ii.  1870,  12,  i9.—Am«i,  Bull,  ilinu.  Acad.  >fat.  Sol.  1874,  69.— Oouc*  <£■  Tarrow,  ZoiH. 

Kxpl.  W.  lOOMerid.  v.  1875, 60. -^Jfe/i,  Bull.  U.  8.  Geol.  Sur.  vol.  U.  no.  4,  1876,320 

(Hkull). 
Mustela  lutreola,  F(>r«(.  Phil.  Trans.  Ixii.  1772,  TA.—Sah.  Frank.  Journ.  183.1,  6."i3.—rMcA. 

Syn.  Ifait,  221  (partly).- (^ndm.  Am.  Xat.  Hist.  i.  1831,  906.— ifnU,  Canad.  Nat.  & 

Geol.  vi.  1861,  395. 


*  As  elsewhere  stated,  in  Cynontj/o-.jr  this  tooth  is  siugularly  minute. 


CHARACTERS  OP  PUTORIUS  VISON. 


161 


PutoriUS  Intreolas,  ["Cud.  "J  Allen,  Bnll.  M.  C.  Z.  i.  1869,  175  (critical^  iL  1870, 109  (Flor- 
ida).—iliJen,  Pr.  Boat.  Soc.  N.  H.  xill.  1«69, 18.1. 
Putorlus  lutreolus  var.  vl80n,  Allen,  Bull.  Ens.  Inst  vi.  1874, 54, 59, 63. 
Mustela  (LulreoU)  lutreola  var.  amerlcana,  Sehim,  Syo.  Mamm.  i.  1844, 347. 
Vifion  lutreola,  Oray,  List  Mamm.  Br.  Mux.  1843,  64  (pitrtly).— Oerr.  Cat.  Bones  Br.  Mas. 

1862, 92  (partly). 
Mustela  canadensis,  Erxl.  Syst  An.  i.  1777, 455  (mixed  with  synonymy  of  another  species, 

but  clearly  referable  here  from  the  description,  which  can  only  apply  to  the  Mink. 

See  i^(i.  M.  K.  A.  text  on  p.  151). 
MuHtrla  ranadoaNis  var.  vison,  Jiodii.  Elench.  An.  i.  17r)4. 86  (after  Bulffln). 
MUHtcIa  WlnlnKUH,  Barton,  Am.  Pliil.  Tr.  vi.  li-0(),  70  (nn  doHcr. ;  St.  LouIh,  Mo.). 
MUHtela  minx,  Turt.  S.  X.  i.  180n,  5H  —Ord,  Guthr.  Geo<;.  2d  Am.  ed.  ii.  1815, 291, 298. 
MuHifIa  lutreorcphala,  Harl.  Fn.  Am<Nr.  1825, 63. 

VlH»n  tnlreucepliala,  Oran,  V.  /.  .S.  tH6.>,  116  ;  Car.  Cam.  Br.  Mns.  1869, 94. 
;  MUMtf  la  rufa,  n.  Smith.  .Janl.  Xat.  Lil).  xiii.  Ih42,  \t<.). 
PutorlUN  nlKrescens,  And.  «£  liach.  Q.  S.  A.  iii.  KtX  !0I,  pi.  124  (not  in  orig.  od.).— BaiVd,  M. 

N.  A.  IS.")?,  inO.—Oilpin.  Tr.  X.  Scotin  Iimt.  ii.  1870,  12,  «C. 
Mink,  Smith's  Yir){inia,1624.-A'n;m,  Itin.  iii.  22. 
Mink,  I'ommon  Mink,  Amerlrun  Mink,  Authors  and  others. 
MiUS,  Lawson,  Carol.  1709,  lii.—lirickell,  Xat.  Hist.  Xorth  Car.  1737,  118.— Fenn.  Arct.  Zoiil. 

17K4,  87,  no.  35. 
may,  SagardThiodat,  Hist.  Canad.  1636, 748  (ed.  of  1866,  iii.  680). 
Fnuterean,  La  Hontan,  Voy.  i.  1703, 81.    Also  of  Freneh  Canadian*. 
VUon,  Huff.  Hist.  An.  xiii.  1765,  304,  pi.  43  (ba8>>d  on  specimen  in  Afus.  Aubry,  as  wene  the 

descrs.  of  Briss.  &.  Venn.).— Bomare,  Diet.  iv.  1768,  615.— i>«»n.  Hist.  Quad.  1781,  uo. 

20;>;  Arct  Zoiil.  1. 1784, 78,  no.  89. 
VLtone ,  Scataglia,  An.  Quad.  iv.  1775,  pi.  l.'iS,  f.  3  (from  Buffon). 
American  vison,  Oray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 116. 
lesser  Otter,  Penn.  Hist  Quad.  1781, 228.— For«e.  Phil.  Trans.  Ixll.  1773,  371. 

JatkaHh,  Heame,  Jonrn, ,  376. 

MMkwieHliew  or  AUackashew,  Oree  Indiant  (—  '•  Jackash"). 
Muuntaln-brook  Mink,  A  ud.  <e  Bach.  I. «. 
Little  Black  Mink,  7i<{.{.c. 
Mountain  Mink  of  Hunters. 

Ha  HIT  AT. — North  America,  at  large.  North  to  the  Arctic  coast,  but  not 
abundant  north  of  Fort  Knsolution. 

Spkcikic  ciiARACTKHR.— Larger  and  stouter  than  the  Stoats ;  ears  shorter ; 
tail  uniformly  bushy,  nearly  as  in  Mustela;  feet  semipalmate;  color  dark 
cheHtnnt-brown;  tail,  and  nsuitlly  a  dorsal  area,  blackish ;  chin  white,  the 
cilgeH  of  the  upper  lip  rarely  also  white,  the  throat,  breast,  and  belly  often 
with  irregular  white  patches.    Length  15-18  inches ;  tail-vertebnc  6-8. 

Bescrijytion  of  external  characters.* 

This  animal,  with  the  essential  characters  of  dentition,  &c., 
of  Putorius,  differs  notably  from  the  typical  Stoats  and  Weasels 
{(idle)  in  its  larger  size  and  much  stouter  form,  in  which  re- 
spects it  approaches  the  true  Martens.  It  shares  with  these 
the  uniformly  enlarged,  bushy,  and  somewhat  tapering  tail,  in- 
stead of  »  slenderly  terete  tail  with  enlarged  busby  tip,  as  in 
the  Stoats.    The  tail-vertebrre  are  one-half  (more  or  less)  as 

*  From  numerous  specimeus  in  the  Smithsonian  Institution  from  all  parts 
of  North  America. 
11  M 


■•vi 


**j. 


V  :!i 


162 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


^1 


m 


Ih! 


long  as  the  head  aud  body ;  the  terminal  pencil  is  only  as  long 
as  the  hairs  of  the  tail  in  general.  Unlike  the  Martens,  the 
Mink  has  small  low  ears,  smaller  than  those  of  the  Weasels. 
The  ears  are  scarcely  longer  than  the  adjacent  fur,  though  tbey 
overtop  it  a  little,  as  the  fur  lies  flat;  they  are  rounded,  and 
well  furred  both  sides.  The  general  shape  of  the  head — long, 
low,  flat,  subtriangular — is  as  in  other  Putorii.-  The  small  eye 
centres  over  the  angle  of  the  month,  half-way  between  the  nose 
and  ear.  The  whiskers  are  in  four  or  five  series,  the  longest 
reaching  opposite  the  occiput ;  they  are  stiff  and  strong ;  other 
bristles  giow  over  and  behind  tbe  eyes,  ou  the  cheeks,  and  on 
the  middle  of  the  chin ;  similar  bristles  are  usually  seen  upon 
the  wrists  and  ankles.  The  extremity  of  tbe  snout  is  protub- 
erant and  definitely  naked.  The  feet  are  broad ;  the  hinder 
have  a  slightly  oblique  set;  the  fore  have  ten  balls,  the  hind  nine, 
as  in  other  Putorii  (five  digital  pads  at  the  ends  of  the  digits, 
five  palmar,  and  four  plantar).  The  palmar  and  plantar  pads 
are  not  separated  by  hairy  spaces  (except  the  hindmost  outer 
palmar  one),  there  being  only  a  crease  between  them.  Ordi- 
narily, the  pads  are  conspicuo  isly  naked,  but  in  northern  and 
some  winter  skins  they  must  be  searched  for  amidst  the  over- 
growing hair.  This  is  a  purely  fortuitous  circumstance.  The 
palms  and  soles  are  always  furry  around  the  pads.  On  the 
top  of  the  feet,  the  hairs  reach  to  or  rather  beyond  the  ends  of 
the  nails.  The  digits  are  all  webbed  at  bases  for  a  considerable 
distance,  especially  the  middle  ones.  The  third  and  fourth  fin- 
gers are  subequal  and  longest ;  the  second  and  fifth  not  so 
nearly  equal,  and  both  much  shorter;  the  first  is  quite  short. 
The  toes  of  the  hind  feet  have  almost  the  same  relative  propor- 
tions. The  pelage  consists  of  a  dense,  soft,  matted  under  fur, 
mixed  with  long,  stiff,  lustrous  hairs,  on  all  parts  of  the  body 
and  tail.  The  gloss  is  greatest  on  the  upper  parts;  on  the  tail 
the  bristly  hairs  predominate.  Northern  specimens  have  tbe 
finest  and  most  glistening  pelage,  though  the  long  hairs  are  the 
stoutest;  in  southern  specimens  there  is  les^  difference  be- 
tween the  under  and  over  fur,  aud  the  whole  peiage  is  coarser 
and  harsher. 

In  color,  the  Mink  ranges  from  a  light  dull  yellowish-brown, 
not  very  different  from  that  of  a  Marten,  or  of  some  styles  of 
the  European  P.  foetidua,  to  a  rich  blackish  chocolate-brown. 
These  extremes  (whicu  will  be  presently  considered)  aside,  the 
animal  is  ordinarily  of  a  rich  dark  brown,  scarcely  or  not  paler 


DESCRIPTION  OP  PUTORIUS  VISON. 


163 


below  than  on  the  general  upper  parts ;  but  a  dorsal  area  is 
usually  the  darkest,  and  the  tail  is  quite  bla^kiBh.  A  strong 
mark  of  the  species  is  the  white  chin ;  this  is  rarely  absent,  but 
still  its  indeterminate  character  is  shown  in  the  fact  that  its 
extent  and  posterior  contour  are  wholly  irregular.  As  generally 
found,  it  occupies  the  whole  under  jaw  about  as  far  back  as  the 
angle  of  the  mouth.  It  is  sometimes  prolonged  as  an  irregular 
streak  down  the  throat ;  sometimes  it  is  indicated  only  by  a 
few  specks,  or  it  may  be  altogether  absent.  This  white  seldom 
invades  the  upper  lip;  that  it  sometimes,  however,  does  so  is 
attested  by  the  specimens  before  me,  one  of  the  differences 
claimed  from  the  European  P.  lutreola  being  thus  obviously 
negatived.  Besides  the  white  on  the  chin,  there  are  often, 
perhaps  usually,  other  white  patches  on  the  under  parts,  par- 
ticularly on  the  chest,  between  the  fore  legs,  and  on  the  lower 
belly  between  the  hind  legs.  These  markings  are  wholly  inde- 
terminate in  extetit  and  contour.  To  recount  their  vagaries 
would  be  futile.  In  very  rare  instances,  the  tail  is  tipped  with 
white. 


(r 


*  i 


1 


^T, 


4l 


i\AH 


H 


i  hi 


1 


I 


I 


mm 


164 


NORTH  AMERICAN  MUSTELIDiE. 


03 


M 

C 

at 
S 

S 


S 


"s* 


§ 


nompads  jo  ojn^vx 

Alcoholic. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 
...do. 

■Ma  JO  topiM. 

SS  :  :  : 

•qoioa              8S  ;  :  : 

'8  A«p  JO  pno  0%  99ny[ 

S2 

•8MWJ0  JO  pno  o?  Moqig;       ^ 

Si 

•(jooj  pajH 

1 

•}ooj  eao,^ 

f2g   :  i   ;» 

•»i!«H 

ad  od  t^  o  00  oi  of 

•sBjqeiJQA 

H  r-:  te  t-!  t-:  TO  OD 

i 

o 
a 

i 

•n«x 

§S?S28SS 

tri  <d  0>  iri  CO  ad  H 

M  ..<  (H  »  n  M  rH 

•jndjooo 

ipssass 

1  oJ  rf  ri  ri  ri  ri 

•jua 

is  i§si: 

•  el   IeJ»ld 

I 

•9.Ca 

1 

§S22SS 

1 

^  C>  *-•*-«  ^  f" 

•xag 

i•o^^o"D 

' 

£ 

i 

'5 

E 
O 

1 

UN 

a  •  1  • 

5  :  :  i 

9    .    .    • 

H  1  :  : 

■joqmiin  i«nj3iJ0 

ll 

""'363 

364 

1595 

1641 

■joq 

niua  insxinQ 

EXTERNAL  VARIATION  IN   PUTORIUS  VISON. 


165 


Variation  in  external  cliaracters. 

In  the  extensive  series  of  Minks  before  me,  two  extremes  of 
size  and  color  are  apparent.  One  of  these,  represented  by  a  few 
skins  from  Washington  Territory  and  the  Upper  Missouri,  is 
rather  larger  than  any  others  I  have  seen — some  IS  or  20  inches 
long,  exclusive  of  the  tail.  (But  the  ordinary  dark  Mink  has 
been  found  over  20  inches  in  length.)  They  are  remarkably 
light-colored,  pale  dull  yellowish-brown  all  over,  the  tail  but 
little  darker,  with  the  usual  white  marks  on  the  chin  and  else- 
where underneath.  Such  specimens  are  noted  by  Prof.  Baird, 
p.  179,  in  text.  Although  by  no  means  to  be  overlooked  in  any 
formal  account  of  the  species,  the  fact  that  this  style  shades 
insensibly  into  the  ordinary  state  shows  that  it  is  merely  one 
phase  of  individual  variation,  which  need  not  be  recognized 
by  name.  The  other  extreme  has  been  described  and  figured 
as  Putoriua  nigrescens  by  Audubon  and  Bachman,*  as  above. 

*In  order  to  set  forth  fully  tbe  characters  claimed  for  this  supposed 
species,  the  following  digest  of  the  original  description  is  given  : — 

Smaller  than  P.  viaon;  teeth  in  the  under  jaw  larger  than  the  correspond- 
ing teeth  in  the  upper  jaw;  feet  less  deeply  palmated  than  in  P.  vison; 
ears  broader  and  longer ;  fur  softer  and  more  glossy.  Color  dark  browulsh- 
black. 

Id  form,  in  dentition,  and  in  the  shape  of  the  feet,  this  species  bears  a  strong 
resemblance  to  a  stout  Weasel ;  the  head  is  broad  and  depressed,  and  shorter 
and  blunter  than  that  of  P.  viaon.  Ears  large,  oval,  and  slightly  acute,  cov- 
ered on  both  surfaces  with  fur ;  legs  rather  short  and  stout ;  feet  small  and  \ok-> 
webbed  than  in  P.  oUon.  The  callosities  under  the  toes  are  more  prominent 
than  in  that  species,  and  the  palms  scarcely  half  as  long.  Toes  covered 
with  short  hairs  almost  concealing  the  nails,  and  the  hairs  between  the  toes 
leaving  only  the  tubercles  visible.  Fur  blackish-brown  from  the  roots  to 
the  tips;  whiskers  and  ears  blackish-brown ;  a  white  chin-patch  (not  shown 
in  the  figures);  under  surface  of  body  a  shade  lighter  and  redder  than  the 
back;  tail  blackish-brown,  blackening  on  tite  end.  Length  of  head  and 
body  11  inches;  tail-vertebraj  tJ,  with  hairs  7  ;  polos  "i,"; ;  ear  ^. 

Mountain  Mink  of  hunters.  Prom  Pennsylvania,  Now  York,  New  Eng- 
land, and  Canada,  and  supposed  to  be  more  northerly  than  P.  rhon. 

"We  have  had  abundant  opportunities  of  comparing  many  specimens 
[with  P.  vison'].  We  have  seen  some  with  their  teeth  much  worn,  and 
females  which  from  the  appearance  of  the  teats  had  evidently  suckled  their 
young.  They  were  all  of  the  size  and  colour  of  the  specimen  above  described, 
and  we  can  no  longer  doubt  that  the  latter  is  a  distinct  species  from  P.  rison. 
The  comparison  in  fact  is  not  recjuired  to  be  made  between  these  s|iecies, 

butbetweenthepresentspeciesandP.Iutreota  of  Europe We  had 

no  opportunity  of  placing  this  little  species  by  the  side  of  the  European. 
We  are  iuoliued  to  believe,  however,  that  distinctive  marks  will  be  found 


s;t 


M  1  ,   < 


U-  ^^ 


iUM 


-.«  * 


166 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


It  consists  in  the  combination  of  small  size  and  dark  colors. 
The  specimens  representing  it  are  a  foot  or  little  more  in  length, 
and  of  a  rich  blackish  chocolate-brown ;  the  white  on  the  chin 
and  elsewhere  is  found  as  usual.  It  has  been  claimed  that  this 
cannot  be  merely  a  young  "  Mink",  on  the  ground  that  it  has 
been  found  breeding.  Hunters  and  trappers  practically  recog- 
nize as  distinct  a  "  Mountain  Mink''  of  this  character,  the  dif- 
ferences which  result  in  the  enhanced  value  of  the  pelt  appealing 
to  them  strongly.  But,  in  any  event,  the  specimens  before  me 
establish  one  fact,  namely,  that  it  is  impossible  to  draw  any 
dividing  line  between  "  P.  nigrescens^  and  the  common  Mink. 
They  melt  into  each  other  insensibly.  The  question  is  nar- 
rowed to  whether  the  supposed  species  is  a  reasonably  marked 
variety,  or  whether  it  is  merely  a  fortuitous  state  under  which 
the  Mink  may  anywhere  present  itself.  The  latter  is  my 
present  view.  It  is  certain  that  young  Minks  are  darker  than 
the  old  ones,  and  that  the  animal  increases  in  stature  for  some 
time  after  it  is  "mature",  i.e.,  in  possession  of  reproductive 
powers.  The  fact  that  the  small  blackish  individuals  are  found 
breeding  is  therefore  by  no  means  conclusive.  Nor  is  the 
supposed  "  nigrescens "  characteristic  of  any  particular  faunal 
area. 

In  this  connection,  the  remarks  of  Mr.  B.  B.  Boss  in  the  paper 
above  cited  have  much  practical  pertinence,  and  his  opinion, 
based  upon  long  experience,  is  entitled  to  weight.  Speaking 
of  the  ordinary  Mink,  he  remarks : — "The  color  of  its  pelt  varies 
greatly.  In  winter  its  shades  range  from  a  dark  chestnut  to  a 
rich  brownish  black.  The  tint  of  all  the  body  is  uniform, 
except  that  the  belly  is  sensibly  lighter,  and  that  there  is  a 
series  of  white  blotches,  running  with  greater  or  smaller  breaks 
from  the  end  of  the  chin  to  some  distance  below  the  forelegs, 
and  again  continued  with  more  regularity  from  the  middle  of 
the  belly  to  the  anus.  In  some  skins  these  markings  are  of 
sn  ,11  extent,  but  I  have  never  seen  them  entirely  wanting. 
There  are  commonly  spots  under  either  one  or  both  of  the 
forelegs,* but  not  invariably.  I  have  remarked  that  the  color- 
ation of  this  animal,  as  well  as  of  the  Otter  and  Beaver,  grows 

in  the  siuall  ruanded  feet  aad  short  tarsus  of  oar  present  species,  in  its 
longer  and  rather  more  pointed  ears,  its  shorter  head  and  longer  lower 
incisors,  together  with  a  more  general  resemblance  to  oar  comuion  weasel 
(P.  erminea)  in  sammer  dress." 


CRANIAL  VARIATION   IN  PUTORIUS   VISON. 


167 


lighter  an  it  advances  in  years,  and  that  the  whl.d  blotches  or 
spots  are  of  greater  size  and  distinctness  in  the  old  than  in  the 
young.  The  fur  of  a  young  Mink  (uuder^ree  years)  when 
killed  in  season  is  very  handsome:  its  coIoi^k  often  an  almost 
pure  black.  The  skin  is  thin  and  pliable,  aAroaching  nearly 
to  the  papery  consistency  of  that  of  the  Martin.  When  aged, 
the  hide  is  thick  and  the  color  more  rusty.  The  summer  pelage 
is  short,  but  tolerably  close,  and  is  of  a  reddish  brown  color, 
and  the  tail,  though  still  possessing  black  hairs,  shews  dis- 
tinctly the  under-fur  of  a  decidedly  rusty  hue.  Its  feet  are 
rather  pointed  and  not  large.  Its  legs  are  short  but  muscular, 
and  its  track  in  the  snow  is  easily  distinguished  from  that  of 
the  Martin,  whose  longer  and  well-covered  paws  do  not  sink  so 
deeply.  Indeed,  when  the  snow  is  at  all  deep  and  soft,  the 
Mink  makes  a  regular  furrow,  similar  to  that  made  by  an  Otter 

under  like  circumstances,  though  of  course  smaller 

I  am  strongly  inclined  to  the  opinion  that  there  is  only  one 
species  of  Mink  on  this  continent,  .ind  consider  it  highly  prob- 
able that  the  P.  Nigrescentes  of  And.  &  Bach,  are  merely 
common  Minks  under  three  years  of  age.  I  have  seen  numbers 
of  skins  here  of  exactly  the  same  color,  size,  and  furring  as 
those  described  under  that  head  in  Prof.  Baird's  work  on  North 
American  Mammals,  which  were  simply  young  P.  visones.  This 
gentleman  also  states  that  the  American  species  of  Mink  never 
has  the  edge  of  the  upper  lip  white.  I  have  never  seen  the 
icliole  of  that  part  so  colored,  but  in  one  specimen  now  on  my 
table  there  is  a  white  spot  beneath  the  nostrils." 

To  the  above  account  of  the  variations  in  pelage  must  be 
added  another  source  of  change  in  specimens,  namely,  the 
fading  by  long  exposure  to  the  light.  Some  mounted  individ- 
uals which  have  been  in  the  Smithsonian  museum  for  about 
twenty  years  are  now  bleached  to  a  dingy  white  nearly  all 
over. 

The  time  that  the  Mink  requires  to  attain  full  stature  is  seen 
from  the  foregoing.  As  usual  in  this  genus,  the  female  aver- 
ages considerably  smaller  than  the  male. 


m^n 


if  :ij 


Yariation  in  the  skull  of  the  MinJc, 


Having  already  given  the  principal  characters  of  the  skull 
in  treating  of  the  subgenus  lAitreola,  it  only  remains  to  note 
the  variation  presented  by  the  present  species. 


■'^:■ 


'.   -  -HIS 


168 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDwE. 


I 


Skulls  of  L.  vison  ordinarily  range  from  2.35  x  1.35  to  2.75 
X  1.05,*  but  the  extreme  limits  of  variation  are  considerably 
furtlier  apart  than  these.  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  t  has  tabulated  and 
discussed  the  variations  according  to  geographical  distribution. 
I  present  his  article  in  full : — 

"  Eighteen  skulls  from  the  northern  parts  of  the  continent, 
mainly  from  Alaska,  average  2.6G  in  length  and  1.58  in  width, 
the  extremes  being,  length,  3.02  and  2.30;  width,  1.00  and  1.40. 
Thirteen  skulls  from  the  highlands  of  Northeastern  New  York 
average  2.40  in  length  and  1.34  in  width,  the  extremes  being, 
length,  2,60  and  2.17.  Three  skulls  from  Pennsylvania  (un- 
doubtedly males)  average  2.49  in  length  and  1.48  in  width. 
In  the  northern  series,  the  sex  of  the  skull  is  given  by  the 
collector,  whence  it  appears  that  the  twelve  males  have  an 
average  length  of  2.81,  and  the  six  females  an  average  length 
of  2.48,  showing  a  considerable  sexual  variation  in  size.  Yet 
the  smallest  males  (2.64  and  2.63)  full  below  the  largest  female 
(2.68),  if  the  skulls  are  all  correctly  marked.  None  of  the 
other  females,  however,  exceed  2.55,  and  only  three  of  the 
males  fall  below  2.70.  In  the  New  York  series,  the  sex  is  not 
indicated;  but,  judging  from  the  proportion  of  the  small  to 
the  large  skulls,  the  sexes  are  about  equally  represented  in 
the  two  series,  but  in  the  New  York  series  there  is  a  very 
gradual  decline  from  the  largest  to  the  smallest.  The  northern 
series  of  eighteen  is  selected  from  a  series  of  twenty-three ; 
the  New  York  series  of  thirteen  from  a  series  <  f  thirty.  In 
each  case  only  very  old  skulls  were  chosen,  the  immature 
specimens  in  each  case  being  thrown  out  in  order  to  have  i> 
fair  basis  for  comparison.  The  immature  and  middle-aged 
specimens  greatly  predominate  in  the  New  York  series,  owing, 
doubtless,  to  the  s]>ecies  being  more  closely  hunted  there  than 
in  the  more  unsettled  districts  of  the  far  north. 

*'  Taking  these  two  series  as  a  basis  for  a  general  compari- 
son, there  is  indicated  a  considerable  decrease  in  size  from  the 
north  southward,  amounting  to  0.26  in  length  and  0.24  in 
width,  or  about  one-tenth  of  the  average  size  of  the  New  York 

*  A  akull  of  the  commou  Ferret,  P.  faitidita  var.  furo,  before  rae,  ia  ulmust 
exactly  of  the  former  ditueusionn.  Tame  Ferrets'  skulls  I  have  examined 
show  a  carious  depression  of  the  cranial  portion — evea  a  concavity  of  the 
upper  profile,  which  I  have  not  observed  in  P.  fwtidua.  A  skull  of  the  latter 
measures  2.60  X  1.55. 

tliuU.  U.  S.  Geol.  and  Geogr.  Surv.  Terr.  vol.  ii.  no.  4, 1876,  pp.  327,  328. 


COMPARISON  WITH  PUTORIUS  LUTREOLA. 


169 


series.  A  single  specimen,  marked  <  Brookbaven,  Miss.',  anil 
another  marked  'Tuscaloosa,  Ala.',  however,  have  a  length 
respectively  of  2.60  and  Ii.80,  the  former  equaling  the  largest 
New  York  specimens,  and  the  latter  nearly  equaling  the  aver- 
age size  of  the  males  of  the  northern  series,  wliile  a  single 
male  skull  from  Fort  Randall,  D.  T.,  2.90  in  length,  is  the  sec- 
ond in  si^o  of  the  whole  series;  one  Fort  Yukon  spccimea 
only  being  larger !  Other  specimens  from  the  Upper  Missouri 
region,  however,  are  mu(;h  smaller,  as  are  other  specimens 
from  Prairie  Mer  Rouge,  La.,  indicating  that  the  specimens 
above  mentioned  are  much  above  the  average  for  their  re- 
spective localities. 

"  MeaHitrenients  of  thirty-sereu  Hkulh  of  FuTORllis  viaoN. 


5" 


6530 

8709 
8797 
87!I6 
8707 
8703 
8708 

fim 

SMS 
8708 

es3i 

8704 
8706 
8705 
3284 
430<l 
8133 
4305 

12915 
3730 
3824 
110!) 
3(ie5 
30H4 
382.3 
382-J 
3249 
C243 
3241 
S344 
8250 
22tl7 
1847 
4834 
4«i5 
1804 

11315 


Locality. 


Fort  Yukon,  Alaaka . 

Alaska 

do 


do , 

do , 

do 

do 

do 

Ala.ska  (Kadiak)  , 

Aluaka 

do 

do 


do 

do 

Nelson  River , 

Fort  Simpson , 

do... 

do 

Fort  Kandall 

Essex  County,  New  York 
do 


.do. 
.do. 
.do 
.do. 
-do. 


Saranac  Lake,  Now  York 

do 

do 


do 

do 

do 

I'ennsvlvauia 
do 


do  

Tuscaloosa,  Ala  . .. 
Brookhaveu,  Miss. 


<2S 


d 
d 
d 
d 
d 
d 
d 
9 


,1 


3.02 
2.82 
3.  83 
2.75 
2.73 
3.75 
3.A8 
2.64 
3.63 
9.68 


55 
45 
32 
30 
86 
8.70 
8.90 
2.55 
2.90 
8.60 
8.60 
2.40 
2.40 
8.40 
8.  32 
2.30 
8.47 
8.40 
a.  35 
8.80 
2.40 
8.17 
3.50 
8.50 
3.47 
2.80 
3.00 


1.00 
1.64 
1.68 
1.61 
1.68 
1.57 
1.68 
1.  .'>5 
1.58 
1.58 
1.50 
1.45 
1.40 
1.40 
1.63 
1.51 
1.78 
1.  46 
1.61 
1.48 
1.38 
1..32 
1.38 
1.31 
1.32 
1.23 
1.37 
1.30 
1.31 
1.18 
1.48 
1.311 
1.48 
1.48 
1.48 
1.61 
1.50 


Remarks. 


Vorv  old. 

...do. 

. . .  do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

Old. 

..do. 

Old.    P.  '  ntgraicens '  A.  4(  B. 

...do. 

...do. 

Old. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

. . .  do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do. 

...do." 


Comparison  with  the  European  Mink. 

I  have  only  been  able  to  compare  my  series  of  American 

Minks  with  one  European  specimen,  which,  being  mounted, 

does  not  permit  examination  of  the  teeth.     But  as  we  have 

seen  that  the  curious  difference  in  the  character  of  the  molar 


a 


'iu 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


5« 


// 


4is 


tSn 


A 


i  ^^ 


f/j 


m 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


£  IS  110 


III  1.8 

U    IIIL6 


%■ 


0% 


^;. 


"^14 


^j*" 


> 


0» 


/A 


•^ 


Is 


l\ 


170 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


and  last  premolar  of  Mustela  martes  and  M.  americana  holds 
good,  there  is  reason  to  presume  that  the  same  difference  may 
constantly  obtain  in  the  Minks,  as  held  by  Dr.  Gray.  In  this 
case,  very  curiously,  it  is  the  American  animal  which  has  the 
larger  molar,  not  the  European.  This  could  never  have  been 
predicated  by  analogy  ;  it  illustrates  the  constantly  recurring 
lesson  of  the  danger  of  this  mode  of  reasoning  in  zoology,  and 
the  necessity  of  appeal  to  observed  facts  in  every  case.  All 
the  many  skulls  of  American  Minks  examined  (about  forty) 
show  the  massive  last  molar  with  an  inner  moiety  very  much 
larger  than  the  outer,  as  against  the  opposite  which  is  alleged 
of  the  Old  World  species.  A  discrepancy  in  average  size  of 
the  American  and  European  Minks  is  obvious ;  but  the  differ- 
ence is  within  the  range  of  variation  of  the  former.  The  white 
upper  lip,  the  rule  in  the  European  species,  is  the  rare  excep- 
tion in  the  American.  As  far  as  external  differences  go,  it 
would  be  impossible  to  separate  the  two  forms  specifically ; 
■we  could  only  predicate  a  geographical  race  upon  the  average 
superior  stature  and  generally  dark  upper  lip  of  the  American 
form.  Attending  only  to  these  superficial  details,  Mr.  Allen  * 
came  to  the  justifiable  conclusion  of  the  specific  identity  of  the 
two  animals ;  but  had  his  able  and  pertinent  discussion  em- 
braced consideration  of  the  dental  peculiarities,  his  views  would 
doubtless  have  been  materially  modified.  I  am  unable  to  en- 
dorse his  general  statement  {loc.  cit)  respecting  the  Lutreola 
group,  that  "we  have  here  again  but  one  circumpolar  and 
widely  dispersed  species,  with  possibly  two  continental  or  geo- 
graphical races  which  may  be  more  or  less  easily  recognized". 
For  aside  from  the  question  of  P.  vison,  t'n  P.  sibiricus  (see 
foot-note),  which  Mr.  Allen  would  bring  into  the  same  connec- 
tion, is  an  entirely  different  species,  to  judge  from  the  single 
excellent  specimen  before  me.  In  justice  to  this  writer,  however, 
I  should  not  omit  to  add  that  since  his  examination  of  the  skulls 
he  has  presented  P.  vison  as  a  distinct  species. 

The  comparative  diagnosis  of  P.  lutreola  and  P.  vison  would 
be  as  follows : — 

p.  lutreolaA — Back  upper  molar  small,  quadrate,  transverse,  the  inner 
moiety  scarcely  larger  than  the  outer  [fide  Qray].  Averaging  smaller; 
upper  lip  normally  white. 

*  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.  i.  18(39,  pp.  175-177 — an  article  important  as  a 
contribution  to  the  present  discussion,  and  as  satisfactorily  showing  that 
the  external  characters  supposed  to  distinguish  two  species  do  not  hold. 

1 1  introduce  short  notices  of  the  two  Old  World  species  allied  to  P.  v'uon, 
as  farther  contributions  to  the  history  of  the  group. 


PUTOEIUS   LUTREOLA— PUTORIUS   SIBIRICUS. 


171 


p.  vieon. — Back  upper  molar  large,  with  great  constriction  across  the  mid- 
dle, making  an  hourglass-shape,  the  inner  moiety  of  which  is  nearly  twice 
as  large  as  the  outer  [40  specimens  seen].  Averaging  larger;  upper  lip 
normally  dark. 

Pntorlns  (Lutreola)  lutreola.— European  Mink. 

Tlverra  lutreola,  L.  Fu.  Sueo.  2(1  ed.  1761,  5,  no.  13.— Pall.  Spio.  Zool.  xiv.  1781),  46,  pi.  21,  f.  a  ; 

Zoog.  R.-A.  i.  1831,  80,  no.  23. 
Musleln  lulrcola,  L.  8.  N.  i.  nati,  66,  no.  3  (Finland).— ScAr.  her,  SttiiK.  iil.  1778,  462,  pi.  12.5.— 

Lepech.  Itin.  1. ,  176,  pi.  12.— Gm.  S.  N.  1. 1788,  94,  n.  i.—Turl.  S.  N.  1.  1806,  5S.—Xils8. 

•      Skand.  Fn.  11, 152. -icM.  Man.  1827, 147.— Fate*,  Act.  Soo.  So.  Feun.  u.  1847, 583.— G»«6. 

Saug.  1855, 484. 
Mostela  (Lutreola)  lutreola,  Schim,  Syn.  Mamm.  L 1844, 346. 
Lutra  lutreola,  8haw,  G.  Z.  i.  1800,  443.— Olog.  N.  Act.  Acad.  Nat.  Cnrios.  xiii.  501. 
Pulorius  lutreola,  Griff.  Cuv.  R.  A.  v.  1827,  122,  no.  347.— Brandt,  Bern.  Wiii).  Nord.  Eur. 

Russl.  1856,  ^.—Anjubault,  BuU.Soc.  Agric.  Sarthp,  xiii;  Rev.  Mag.  Zool.  1863,  77  (so© 

Mrehmer,  Arch.  Vereins  Meoklenb.  1863,  291;  Taragon,  Rev.  Zool.  xv.  357;  Heinzel, 

Verb.  Ntrf.  Vereins  Biiinn.  i,  1862, 18). 
FCBtorlUS  lutreola,  £^.  <££.  Wirb.  Eur.  1840, 69,  no.  US.—liUu.  Wirb.  Dentschl.  1857, 234,  no.  5 

(der  'SoTz). —Struck.  Arcb.  Nat.  Mecklenb.  xiii.  1859,  l:\9.—Krau»e,  Poterm.  Geog. 

Mittb.  1866, 425. 
TISOB  lutreola,  Oray,  List  Manini.  Br.  Mns.  1843,  64  (includes  both  species) ;  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 

117  Cat.  Cam.  Br.  Mus.  1869,  94.—Oerr.  Cat.  Bones  Br.  Mu«.  1862,  92  (includes  both 

species).- Jf.  Schmidt,  Zool.  Gart.  1865, 168,  flg. 
Intra  minor,  Erxl  Syst.  An.  i.  1777, 451,  no.  3  (mixed  with  P.  titeon). 
Mauk,  Nurek,  Tuhcurl,  Ncerza,  Norz,  Norz,  Nnrz,  Nurtz,  Authors. 
Klelne  FlHChotter,  Sumpfotter,  Oerm. 
Korz,  Jlf arfe»«,  ZooL  Gart.  xi.  1870, 278  (philological). 

The  characters  of  this  species  are  sufficiently  indicated  iu  the  text  above. 
Gerrard  gives  the  caudal  vertebrui  as  17. 

Patorlns  (I^atreola?)  slblrlcns.— iSt&erian  Mink. 

Mustela  Siblrica,  Paii.  Itin.  ii.  app.  701 ;  Spic.  Zool.  1780,  xiv.  89,  pi.  4,  flg.  2;  Zoog.  R.-A.  i. 

1831,  90,  pi.  7.— Erxl.  Syst  1777,  471,no.ll.— -SteArefr.  Sang.  iii.  1778,  495,  pi.  133  B.— 

Zimm.  Geogr.  Gescb.  ii.  1780,  306,  no.  202.— (Jm.  S.  N.  i.  1788,  98,  no.  Id.—l'urt  S.  N.  i. 

1806,  61.— X>e«n».  Mamm.  i.  1820, 177,  no.  272;  Nouv.  Diet.  xix.  369.— Fr.  Cuv.  Diet.  Sci. 

Nat  xxix.  249.— i«.  Geoff.  Diet.  Class,  x.  212.— GFra^,  List  Mumm,  Br.  Mus.  1843,  66.— 

Oerr.  Cat  Bones  Br.  Mus.  1862,  94.—Gieb.  Saug.  1855, 781. 
Tiverra  siblrlca,  Shaw,  Gen.  Zo&l.  i.  1800, 431 . 
PutorlUS  Hiblrica,  Griff.  Cuv.  R.  A.  V.  1827, 122,  no.  346. 
Tlson  siblrica.  Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 117 ;  Cat  Carn.  Br.  Mus.  1869, 94. 
(?)  "  MiMlela  Italsl,  Temm.  Fn.  Jap.  34,  pi.  7,  f.  2  (nat»i  by  misprint  on  plate)."— (Omy.) 
Fatuls  de  liberie,  Cuv.  R.  A.  i.  148. 
fhorock,  "<$onnt»i'8  Buffon,  XXXV.  19." 
Kulon,  Jar(ar«.  i 

Kulonnok,  Chorok,  Suttian. 

(No.  1451,  Mus.  Smiths.,  from  the  Brem«n  Museum.)  This  animal  is  a  Pu- 
torius  (teeth  .34),  and  may  come  near  the  Minks,  as  the  toes  appear  to  be  ex- 
tensively semi-palmate  and  the  ears  are  very  short.  The  general  aspect, 
however,  is  that  of  a  Ferret  or  Polecat,  P.  fwtidua,  like  which  species,  and 
like  P.  nigripes,  it  has  dark  facial  markings  contrasted  with  white  surround- 
ings. The  tail  is  long  and  bnshy,  about  as  it  would  be  in  a  Marten  (Muatela) 
of  the  same  size.  The  color  is  peculiar — a  uniform,  clear,  rich,  fulvous  or 
tawny  brown  ("buff"  or  "fawn"  color),  scarcely  paler  below,  the  tail 


172 


NORTH  AMERICAN  MUSTELID^E. 


General  history  and  habits  of  the  Mink. 


The  history  of  the  American  Mink,  to  which  we  will  confine 
our  attention,  begins  at  an  early  date,  long  before  Linnaeus  con- 
ferred precision  upon  zoological  writing  by  establishing  the 
binomial  nomenclature.  Says  Sagard-Th^odat,  in  1636,  refer- 
ring to  the  Hurons : — "  lis  out  vers  les  Neutres  une  autre  espece 
d'animaux  nommez  Otay,  ressemblaut  ^  un  escurieux  grand 
comme  un  petit  lapin,  d'un  poll  tres-noir,  &  si  doux,  poly  «& 
beau  qu'il  semble  de  la  panne.  lis  font  grands  cas  de  ces  peaux 
desquelles  ils  font  des  robes  &  couaertures,  oil  il  y  en  entre 
bien  une  soixantaine  qu'ils  embellissent  part  tout  lY  I'entour,  des 
testes,  &  des  queues  de  ces  animaux  qui  leur  donnent  bonne 
grace,  &  rendent  riches  en  leur  estime."  Early  in  the  seven- 
teenth century  we  find  the  animal  unmistakably  indicated  under 
the  name  of  Mink  or  Minx.*  The  derivation  of  these  words — or 
rather  of  this  terra,  for  the  two  are  obviously  the  same — is  from 
the  original  Swedish  maenk^  applied  to  the  P.  lutreola  of  Eu- 
rope. The  term  otay  had  long  been  in  use  at  that  time,  and 
foiitereau  was  an  Early  French  designation,  used,  for  instance, 
by  La  Hontan  (1703)  for  "  a  sort  of  small  amphibious  weasels". 
Of  the  meaning  of  the  term  vison,  generally  adopted  since 
Buffon  as  the  specific  designation,  I  have  only  to  remark,  on 
the  authority  of  von  Martens,  it-*  apparent  relation  with 
weasel,  through  veso.  The  word  jaekash,  sometimes  found,  is 
obviously  a  rendering  by  an  English  tongue  of  the  Cree  name, 
which  is  given  by  Richardson  as  Shakwceshew  or  Atjackasheic. 

"  The  Minx  ",  says  Lawson,  about  the  beginning  of  the  last 
century,  "  is  an  animal  much  like  the  English  Fillemart  or 

thronghout  the  same.  Throat  aud  soles  of  feet  whitish.  Forehead,  cheeks, 
region  around  eyes,  and  naked  nasal  pad  blackish-brown ;  end  of  si^ut  all 
around  (isolating  the  dark  nose-i)ad),  edge  of  upper  lip,  and  chin  white. 
Length  apparently  about  15  inches;  tail-vertebrsB  6  or  7;  hairs  at  the  end 
full  3  inches  longer. 

Pallas  says  his  animal  is  pecnliar  to  Farther  Siberia,  from  the  Yenisei 
River  eastward  to  the  sea,  to  the  60°  parallel,  but  is  not  fouud  in  Kaiu- 
tschatka  nor  in  the  Tschuctschi  region.  Gray  attributes  it  to  the  Himalayas, 
China,  Japan,  aud  Formosa,  quoting  Temminck,  as  above. 

"  The  identity  in  form  with  the  Euglish  minx  may  possibly  be  more  than 
fortuitous.  Minx  was  a  name  of  a  female  puppy,  and  subsequently  signified 
a  pert,  wanton  girl,  doubtless  through  the  same  association  of  id»as  tbat 
caused  the  vulgar  name  of  a  she-dog  to  beoome  a  shameful  term  of  reproach 
for  a  lewd  woman.  There  is  something  in  the  forward,  prying,  and  spite- 
ful nature  of  the  animal  to  render  niinx  applicable. 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS   OF   THE   MINK. 

Polcat.  He  is  long,  slender,  and  every  way  shaped  like  him. 
His  Haunts  are  chiefly  in  the  Marshes,  by  the  Seaside  and  Salt- 
Waters,  where  he  lives  on  Fish,  Fowl,  Mice  and  Insects.  .  .  . 
These  arelikewise  found  high  up  in  the  Rivers,  in  whose  sides  they 
live ;  which  is  known  by  the  abundants  of  Fresh- Water  Muscles 
Shells  (such  as  you  have  in  England)  that  lie  at  the  Mouth  of 
their  Holes.  This  is  an  Enemy  to  the  Tortoise,  whose  Holes, 
in  the  Sand,  where  they  hide  their  Eggs,  the  Minx  finds  out, 
and  scratches  up  and  eats," — with  more  in  the  same  quaint  style. 

Button  described  "  Le  vison  "  in  1705  from  a  Canadian  speci- 
men in  M.  Aubry's  museum,  the  same  apparently  that  served 
as  the  basis  of  Brisson's  earlier  and  Pennant's  subsequent  ac- 
count. Pennant  indeetl  has  also  his  Minx  or  Lesser  Otter,  but 
this  is  simply  because  ho  did  not  recognize  that  this  was  the 
same  as  his  riison. 

Since  these  earlier  authors,  the  Mink,  a  very  common  animal 
of  this  country,  has  been  frequently  mentioned  by  writers,  and 
taken  its  place  in  all  the  systematic  works.  It  has  served  as 
the  basis  of  several  nominal  species,  but  these  have  occasioned 
little  if  any  confusion,  the  zoological  characters  of  the  animaV 
being  well  marked.  The  only  question,  indeed,  is  as  to  its  re- 
lationships with  the  European  P.  lutreola.  For  many  years  a 
specific  distinctness  was  seldom  doubted,  but  of  late  the  opin- 
ion has  tended  the  other  way.  The  Mink  has  been  placed 
alternately  in  the  genera  Mustela  and  Putorius^  partly  owing  to 
a  varying  acceptation  of  these  names  by  authors,  partly  to  a 
misconception  of  its  dental  characters.  It  is  a  true  "  Weasel  ", 
with  34  teeth,  not  a  Marten,  which  has  38.  It  is  of  larger  size, 
stouter  form,  and  bushier  tail  than  an  average  species  of  Pu- 
toriuH,  approaching  in  these  respects  to  the  Martens,  Mnstela. 
In  those  points  in  which  it  is  modified  for  its  eminently  aquatic 
mode  of  life,  namely,  the  half-webbing  of  the  toes,  short  ears, 
and  the  close-set,  bristly,  glistening  pelage,  it  makes  an  ap- 
proach toward  the  Otters.  In  fact,  the  specific  term  lutreola, 
"  little  otter  ",  applied  to  the  European  form  by  Linnreus,  is 
highly  appropriate.  The  non-essential  modifications  which  the 
animal  presents  have  been  unnecessarily  made  by  Dr.  Gray 
the  basis  of  a  subgenus  Vison. 

The  peculiar  odor  which  the  animals  of  this  genus  hare  in 
common  attaics  in  this  large  and  vigorous  species  a  surpassing 
degree  of  fetor,  though  of  the  same  quality.  No  animal  of  this 
countrv,  except  the  Skunk,  possesses  so  powerful,  penetrating, 


'■J^''' 


174 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


i 

'■mm 

1 

I^^l 

'n 

H' 

^H 

1 

1^1 

fl 

1 

Hl^i 

■ 

and  lasting  an  efauviura.  Its  strength  is  fully  perceived  in 
taking  the  animal  from  a  trap,  or  when  the  Mink  is  otherwise 
irritated.  Ordinarily  the  scent  is  not  emitted  to  any  noticeable 
degree ;  it  is  under  voluntary  control,  and  the  fact  that  the 
Mink  spends  most  of  its  time  in  the  water  is  .another  reason 
why  its  proximity,  even  in  numbers,  is  not  commonly  perceived 
by  smell.  Both  sexes  possess  the  scent-bags ;  they  lie  in  the 
perinsBum,  one  on  each  side  of  the  rectum,  and  open  upuu  a 
papilla  on  either  side  of  the  anus,  just  within  the  edge  of  the 
external  orifice.  As  usual,  the  apparatus  pertains  primarily  to 
the  sexual  relations,  and,  in  fact,  can  have  no  other  office  of 
consequence,  since  the  effluvium  is  not  powerful  enough  to 
deter  i)ursuit  on  the  part  of  a  determined  enemy*  as  is  the  case 
with  the  intolerable  emanations  of  the  Skunk.  Its  service 
seems  to  be  that  of  attracting  the  sexes.  It  is  used  with  advan- 
tage, like  the  castoreum  of  Beavers,  by  trappers,  to  increase 
the  efficacy  of  their  bait.  It  belongs  to  the  class  of  musky 
odors,  which,  in  minute  quantities,  are  not  disagreeable  to  most 
persons;  and,  indeed,  a  moderate  amount  of  mink  scent  is  to 
me  less  undesirable  than  the  ineffably  rank  odor  of  a  hewolf 
for  instance.  The  former  is  special  and  peculiar;  the  latter 
seems  to  convey  all  that  is  obscene  in  the  nature  of  the  animal. 

The  distribution  of  the  Mink  in  this  country  is  scarcely 
limited.  In  a  word,  it  is  found  in  suitable  places  throughout 
North  America.  Sir  John  Richardson  found  it  on  Mackenzie's 
River  as  far  north  as  66° ;  "  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe 
that  it  ranges  to  the  mouth  of  that  river,  in  latitude  69^". 
Audubon  says  that  he  has  seen  it  *'in  every  State  in  the  Union", 
and  remarks  its  abundance  in  the  salt  marshes  of  the  Southern 
States.  Although  he  could  at  that  time  only  speak  at  second 
hand  of  its  occurrence  in  regions  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
I  have  sufficient  evidence  in  the  way  of  specimens  that  it  is 
there  equally  well  represented.  Its  essentially  aquatic  nature 
leads  it  to  seek,  in  general,  well-watered  sections,  and  it  will 
never  be  found  far  away  from  water,  except  it  be  caught  during 
the  journeys  it  makes  from  one  stream  or  pool  to  another. 
Nevertheless,  I  have  found  it  in  great  plenty  along  the  water- 
courses of  some  of  the  driest  portions  of  the  interior  of  the 
continent,  as  in  Dakota  and  Montana. 

The  very  scarcity  of  water  in  such  regions  is  one  cause  of 
the  apparent  abundance  of  certain  aquatic  animals  in  spots,  as 
around  the  pools  and  along  the  few  streams;  they  become 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS   OF   THE   MINK. 


175 


aggregated  in  a  few  r)laces  rather  than  generally  dispersed  over 
the  country,  so  that  their  numbers  appear  greater  than  they 
really  are.  In  the  region  last  mentioned,  there  was  scarcely  any 
water,  running  or  stagnant,  even  if  enduring  for  only  a  part  of 
the  year,  the  muddy  banks  of  which  were  not  dotted  with  num- 
berless tracks  of  Mink,  Muskrats,  and  Meadow  Mice.  All 
around  the  permanent  pools,  the  entrances  to  the  burrows  of 
the  first  named  were  to  be  found.  The  holes  were  noticed  more 
or  less  nearly  at  water-level,  according  to  the  state  of  evapora- 
tion of  the  water ;  they  were  generally  dug  in  a  rather  steep 
part  of  the  bank,  and  from  the  entrance  of  the  burrow  a  "  way" 
led  far  out  into  the  pool. 

Whilst  encamped  for  a  month  or  more  in  the  autumn  of  1873, 
on  Mouse  River,  in  Northern  Dakota,  a  friend  with  me  pro- 
cured a  large  number  of  Minks  without  difficulty.  In  addition 
to  our  steel  traps,  we  built  numerous  deadfalls,  and  were  equally 
successful  with  both  means.  The  Minks  were  not  at  all  wary 
about  the  traps.  Any  contrivance  by  which  a  small  log  could 
be  made  to  fall  against  another  on  touching  a  trigger,  the  bait 
being  covered  so  that  the  animal  could  only  reach  it  from  the 
desired  position,  sufficed  perfectly  well.  Such  a  trap  may  be 
built,  where  there  is  wood,  with  a  hatchet  and  pocket-knife  in 
a  few  minutes.  We  set  them  at  intervals  for  several  miles 
along  the  stream,  wherever,  judging  from  the  number  of  tracks, 
we  were  most  likely  to  be  successful.  They  were  placed  as 
near  as  convenient  to  the  water's  edge,  baited  with  a  duck's 
head  or  breast,  and  scented  with  the  Mink's  odor.  In  setting 
the  steel  traps,  we  placed  them  in  the  "ways"  leading  into  the 
burrows,  and  in  very  shallow  parts  of  the  stream,  where  a  little 
water  rippled  over  pebbly  shingle.  It  was  found  best,  on  the 
whole,  not  to  bait  the  trap  itself,  but  to  build  a  little  box  of  flat 
stones,  with  a  narrow  entrance,  at  which  the  trap  was  set,  the 
bait  being  placed  further  in.  The  Mink  of  this  region  seemed 
to  me  rather  smaller  and  darker  than  average,  and  they  rarely 
showed  white  along  the  chest  or  belly. 

The  tenacity  of  life  of  the  Mink  is  something  remarkable. 
It  lives  for  many  hours — in  cases  I  have  known  for  more  than  a 
day  and  night — under  the  pressure  of  a  heavy  log,  sufficient  to 
hold  it  like  a  vice,  and  when  the  middle  of  the  body  was  pressed 
perfectly  flat.  Nay,  under  one  such  circumstance  which  I  re- 
call, the  animal  showed  good  fight  on  approach.  When  caught 
by  a  leg  in  a  steel  trap,  the  Mink  usually  gnaws  and  tears  the 


••  *' 


'h. 


i' 


176 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^E. 


captive  member,  sometimes  lacerating  it  in  a  manner  painful 
to  witness ;  but,  singular  to  say,  it  bites  the  part  beyond  the 
jaws  of  the  trap.  This  does  not  appear  to  be  any  intelligent 
attempt  to  free  itself,  but  rather  an  act  of  the  blind  fury  ex- 
cited by  consciousness  of  capture.  Some  have  averred  that  it 
is  an  instinctive  means  of  lessening  pain,  by  permitting  a  flow 
of  blood  from  the  portion  of  the  limb  beyond  the  point  of 
seizure;  but  this  seems  to  me  very  problematical.  The  violence 
and  persistence  of  the  poor  tortured  animal's  endeavors  to 
escape  are  witnessed  in  the  frequent  breaking  of  its  teeth 
against  the  iron — this  is  the  rule  rather*  than  the  exception. 
One  who  has  not  taken  a  Mink  in  a  steel  trap  can  scarcely  form 
an  idea  of  the  terrible  expression  the  aiiimal'ti  face  assumes  as 
the  captor  approaches.  It  has  always  struck  me  as  the  most 
nearly  diabolical  of  anything  in  animal  physiognomy.  A  sullen 
stare  from  the  crouched,  motionless  form  gives  way  to  a  new 
look  of  surprise  and  fear,  accomi>anied  with  the  most  violent 
contortions  of  the  body,  with  renewed  champing  of  the  iron, 
till  breathless,  with  heaving  flanks,  and  open  mouth  dribbling 
saliva,  the  animal  settles  again,  and  watches  with  a  look 
of  concentrated  hatred,  mingled  with  impotent  rage  and  fright- 
ful despair.  The  countenance  of  the  Mink,  its  broad,  low  head, 
short  ears,  small  eyes,  piggish  snout,  and  formidable  teeth,  is 
always  expressive  of  the  lower  and  more  brutal  passions,  all  of 
which  are  intensified  at  such  times.  As  may  well  be  supposed, 
the  creature  must  not  be  incautiously  dealt  with  when  in  such 
a  frame  of  mind. 

The  gun  is  not  often  used  to  procure  Mink,  not  only  because 
of  the  injury  to  the  pelt  which  would  ensue,  but  because  its 
use  is  difiQcult  and  unsatisfactory.  I  have  never  secured  one 
in  this  way,  though  I  have  more  than  once  fired  at  them  swim- 
ming in  the  water.  If  on  the  lookout,  as  they  usually  are, 
they  may  dive  at  the  flash,  and  evade  the  shot.  They  immedi- 
ately disappear  likewivse  if  only  wounded ;  and  even  if  killed 
outright,  which  is  not  often  the  case,  they  sink,  and  are  not 
likely  to  be  recovered.  Shots  at  a  Mink  on  land  but  rarely 
o£fer ;  I  do  not  remember  to  have  had  but  a  single  one,  and 
then  the  animal  escaped  me. 

From  what  has  gone  before,  the  prime  characteristic  of  the 
Mink  in  comparison  with  its  congeners  may  be  inferred :  I 
mean  its  amphibious  mode  of  life.  It  is  to  the  water  what  the 
other  Weasels  are  to  the  land  or  the  Martens  to  the  trees.    It 


HISTORY    AND    HABITS    OF    THE    MINK. 


177 


he 
I 


is  as  essentially  aquatic  iu  its  Labits  as  tbe  Otter,  Beaver,  or 
Muskrat,  and  spends  perhaps  more  of  its  time  in  the  water 
than  it  does  on  land.  In  adaptation  to  this  mode  of  life,  the 
pelage  has  that  peculiar  glossiness  of  the  longer  bristly  hairs 
and  felting  of  the  close  under  fur  which  best  resists  the  water, 
much  as  in  the  cases  of  the  other  animals  just  mentioned. 
Were  not  fashion  so  notoriously  capricious.  Mink  pelts  would 
maintain  a  conspicuous  place  in  the  fur  marts  of  the  world ; 
certainly  few  surpass  them  in  richness  of  color,  gloss,  and  fine- 
ness. Yet  they  have  been  found  under  some  circumstances 
not  to  repay  cost  of  transportation,  although  it  should  be 
added,  at  times  the  price  they  fetch  shows  them  to  be  better 
appreciated.  The  darkest  colored  samples  are  regarded  as  the 
most  valuable — such  as  those  coming  from  the  so-cilled  Fiito- 
riu8  nigrescena.  As  in  other  cases,  the  quality  of  the  fur  de- 
pends largely  upon  season,  and  other  varying  circumstances. 
Nova  Scotian  pelts  have  been  regarded  with  particular  favor. 
On  this  subject,  the  following  extract  from  Dr.  Gilpin's  article 
above  quoted  is  given  : — "  This  fur  once  valueless  has  steadily 
increased  in  price,  till  last  winter  [ISGo]  not  seldom  five  dollars 
was  paid  for  a  single  skin.  Our  Indians  trap  but  very  little 
now.  The  idle  boys  about  the  Aillages  take  many.  The 
farmer,  indignant  at  his  slaughtered  fowl  yard,  adds  a  few 
more.  In  every  land  and  every  village,  there  is  a  social  gip- 
sey  who  loves  sport  and  hates  work ;  who  fishes,  and  fowls, 
and  traps,  eats  his  own  trout  or  poached  salmon  or  moose 
meat,  taken  out  of  season,  and  exchanges  his  little  pile  of  fur 
for  tea  and  tobacco  at  the  country  store.  Many  come  from 
this  source.  Thus  a  gathering  pile  collects  and  dangles  at  the 
country  store.  The  owner  packs  and  sends  them  to  the  Hali- 
fax market,  where  of  late  years  it  has  become  the  habit  for  the 
fur  dealers  to  tender  in  writing  for  them.  About  six  thousand 
are  annually  exported  from  Nova  Scotia  proper." 

Coincidentally  with  the  aquatic  habitat,  the  food  ox  the 
Mink  is  somewhat  modified,  in  comparison  with  that  of  the 
land  species  of  the  genus.  It  is  probably  our  only  species 
which  feeds  habitually  upon  reptiles,  fish,  molluscs,  and  crusta- 
ceans— more  particularly  upon  frogs,  fresh-water  bivalves, 
crawfish,  and  the  like.  Nevertheless,  it  is  not  confined  to 
such  diet,  but  shows  its  relationships  with  the  terrestrial  Wea- 
sels in  a  wide  range  of  the  same  articles  of  diet  as  the  latter 
secure.  It  is  said  to  prey  upon  Mnskrats — a  statement  I  have 
12  M 


ik;il;l 

nil! 


mm 


m 

m 


lii 

Pi 


178 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


uo  besitatiou  in  believing,  though  I  cannot  personally  attest  it. 
A  recent  >vriter,*  in  an  article  vrhich  I  would  quote  were  it 
written  in  a  style  suited  to  the  present  connection,  narrates  an 
incident  which  may  be  here  briefly  related,  as  showing  that 
the  Mink  is  a  formidable  enemy  of  the  Muskrat,  though  yield- 
ing to  the  latter  in  weight.    Whilst  suipe-hunting  on  a  marshy 
island  below  the  Kickapoo  Eapids  of  the  Illinois  Kiver,  the 
writer  noticed  an  object,  which  appeared  like  a  ball  some  six 
or  eight  inches  in  diameter,  rolling  toward  the  water;   and 
soon  ascertained  that  it  was  a  Mink  and  a  Muskrat  clinched 
together,  and  so  completely  covered  with  mud  as  not  to  have 
been  at  first  recognized.    At  his  approach,  the  Mink  released 
its  hold  and  made  its  escape ;  but  the  Muskrat  was  already 
dying  of  severe  wounds  in  the  head  and  neck,  from  which  the 
blood  was  flowing  profusely.    The  Muskrat  had  evidently  been 
captured  and  overcome  in  fair  fight  by  broad  daylight,  and  the 
Mink  would  have  devoured  its  victim  had  not  the  hunter  inter- 
fered.   It  is  also  destructive  to  our  native  rats  and  mice — the 
Arricolas,  Hesperomys,  Sigmodon,  and  Xeotoma;  it  is  known  to 
capture  Rabbits,  especially  the  Lepus  2y(thtstris,  its  associate  in 
many  marshy  or  swampy  tracts ;  while  its  not  infrequent  vis- 
its to  the  poultry-yard  have  gained  for  it  the  hearty  ill-will  of 
the  farmer.    Various  marsh  inhabiting  birds  are  enumerated 
in  the  list  of  its  prey,  among  them  the  rails  and  several 
smaller  species ;  and  we  may  presume  that  it  does  not  spare 
their  eggs.    But  most  birds  are  removed  from  its  attack ;  for  the 
Mink  is  not  a  climber,  at  least  to  any  extent.   In  respect  to  poul- 
try, its  destructiveness  seems  to  result  rather  from  the  regularly 
repeated  visits  of  an  animal  that  has  located  in  the  vicinity 
than  the  wholesale  slaughtering  sometimes  accomplished  by  the 
Ermine.    According  to  those  who  have  excellent  opportunity  of 
judging,  the  Mink  does  not  as  a  rule  kill  more  than  it  eats. 
Still,  the  opposite  case  has  been  recorded.    Its  modes  of  hunt- 
ing oflfer  nothing  peculiar.    Like  the  Weasel  and  Stoat,  it  has 
been  known  to  pursue  its  prey  by  scent. 

The  Mink  often  annoys  hunters  by  stealing  the  game  they 
have  shot  before  they  have  an  opportunity  of  bagging  it.  An 
incident  related-  by  a  recent  anonymous  writer  in  "  Forest  and 
Stream  "  is  in  point,  and  furthermore  illustrates  the  wonderful 
energy  and  perseverance  sometimes  displayed  by  the  Mink  in 

*M.  A.  Howell,  jr.    ''The  trapper  not  the  only  enemy  of  the  Muskrat. 
<Fore8t  and  Stream  of  Dec.  21, 1876.    ^-- ,      .  ;^  j.    ^     .    r       •  v; 


HISTORY   AND   HABITS    OF   THE   MINK. 


179 


securing  its  food.  Speaking  of  a  duckshootiag  cxcursioQ, 
during  which  some  of  the  birds  that  had  been  killed  were  not 
recovered  till  next  day,  the  writer  goes  on  to  say : — "  The  tirst 
spot  which  claimed  attention,  was  where  our  *hen  mallard' 
had  '  struck  hard  pan.'  Here  was  a  sight !  feathers  and  blood 
marked  the  scene  of  a  terrific  struggle  for  what  remained  of  a 
duck's  life.  Here,  for  at  least  ten  feet  in  circuit,  the  snow, 
grass  and  twigs,  were  whipped  into  a  confused  mass,  here  and 
there  besprinkled  with  blood,  and  quite  as  often  decorated 
with  feathers ;  then  there  was  a  trail,  leading  directly  to  the 
river  bank,  and  out  upon  the  ice ;  the  trail  thence  proceeded 
up  the  bank  of  the  river  on  the  ice  for  about  half  a  mile,  when 
it  disappeared  directly  in  line  of  a  hole  in  the  bank,  where  we 
discovered  the  bird  half  buried,  head  foremost,  into  a  hole 
about  one-half  the  size  of  the  body,  frozen  stiff.  When  discov- 
ered we  worked,  not  without  difficulty,  at  the  extrication  of  the 
bird.  It  required  all  our  force  to  draw  it  out,  when,  as  it  broke 
from  its  fastenings,  two  large  minks  suddenly  appeared,  and 
darted  back  into  their  retreat,  the  last  we  saw  of  the  varmints 
after  a  half  hour  of  close  watching.  The  ground  along  the 
shore  was  rough,  covered  with  heavy  grass,  brush,  drift  wood, 
and  many  willows.  Here  the  natural  obstacles  precluded  the 
possibility  of  such  a  trip  by  land,  and  the  little  piece  of  engi- 
neering practiced  by  this  one  mink,  in  capturing  and  convey- 
ing home  its  prize  was  truly  marvellous.  That  there  was  but 
one  mink,  the  trail  bore  direct  evidence  throughout  its  entire 
length  from  the  scene  of  the  struggle.  As  we  followed  the  line, 
we  could  easily  trace  the  wide  trail  of  the  mallard,  as  it  was 
dragged  bodily  along  over  the  fresh  snow,  and  the  deep  pene- 
tration of  its  «laws  into  the  new  ice,  spoke  volumes  of  the  force 
exerted  by  that  small  animal  in  the  completion  of  so  severe 
an  undertaking,  and  the  excessive  amount  of  minic  power  ex- 
pended in  the  completion  ot  a  successful  foraging  expedition. 
Here  and  there  throughout  the  line  of  trail  were  frequent  halt- 
ing places,  where  our  mink  had  stopped  for  a  rest.  Every 
time  there  appeared  numerous  tracks  around  the  body  of  its 
victim,  as  though  pleased  to  inspect  its  trophy  before  the  next 
heat,  and  then  as  the  distance  shortened,  the  strokes  of  its  tail 
at  regular  intervals  of  march,  marked  upon  the  snow  upon  either 
side  of  the  trail  the  determined  intention  of  the  animal  to  go 
through  with  its  meat  before  it  was  too  cold  to  squeeze  into  a 
small  space,  where  the  sharp  frost  would  soon  fix  it  perma- 


>;  •■' 'i^ 


ml 


m\ 


iMwn 


'^  -'SI 


h     i1 


180 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


ueutly.  Wlieu  drawu  out,  we  fouud  that  a  coui»le  of  'square 
meals'  had  been  made  frum  the  head,  neck  aud  breast,  and 
enough  left  for  several  da.ys  to  come." 

This  acconut  of  the  Mink's  theft  called  forth  shortly  afterward 
in  the  same  pajjcr  the  following  instance  of  its  stealing  fish;  the 
editor,  Mr.  Charles  Uallock,  remarking  that  he  had  known 
Minks  to  carry  ofi  fish  weighing  no  less  than  twelve  pounds: — 
"We  were  spending  our  vacation  in  the  woods  of  Maine,  fish- 
ing, and  traveling  about  for  a  good  time  in  general.  One  day  we 
came  across  an  old  dam  made  to  flood  a  piece  of  lowland.  As 
this  looked  like  a  good  place  to  fish  we  stopped,  seated  our- 
selves upon  theedge  of  the  dam,  aud  cast  in  our  line.  The 
fish  were  quite  plenty,  aud  as  fast  as  we  caught  one  we  threw 
it  behind  us  upon  the  scaifolding.  After  a  dozen  or  so  had 
been  caught,  I  thought  I  would  light  my  pipe,  pick  up  the  fish 
and  put  them  in  the  shade,  aud  I  started  to  do  so.  I  accom- 
plished the  first  object,  but  upon  looking  for  the  fish  I  could 
not  find  a  single  one.  I  thought  that  my  c):  im  must  have  re- 
moved them,  and  was  playiug  a  joke  upon  me,  but  on  mention- 
ing it  to  him  he  was  as  much  surprised  as  I  was.  They  could 
not  have  fallen  through  the  cracks,  nor  leaped  over  the  side 
without  our  knowing  it.  Where  were  they  ?  That  was  the 
question.  He  returned  to  fish,  and  I  seated  myself  upon  the 
bank  to  digest  the  subject.  Presently  he  caught  another  fish 
and  threw  it  upon  the  boards.  Immediately  I  saw  a  Mink  run 
out  from  a  hole  near  by,  snatch  the  fish  and  carry  it  off.  This 
explained  the  mysterious  disappearance  of  the  others." 

The  movements  of  the  Mink  on  land,  though  sufficiently 
active,  lack  something  of  the  extraordinary  agility  displayed 
by  the  more  lithe  and  slender-bodied  W^easels,  as  a  consp 
quence  of  the  build  of  its  body ;  while,  for  the  same  reason,  it 
does  not  pursue  the  smaller  animals  into  their  extensive  under- 
ground retreats,  nor  so  habitually  prowl  about  stone  heaps 
and  similar  recesses.  It  is  altogether  a  more  openly  aggres- 
sive marauder,  though  not  less  persistent  aud  courageous  in 
its  attacks.  It  appears  to  be  more  perfectly  at  home  in  the 
water,  where  it  swims  with  exactly  the  motions  of  an  Otter, 
and  in  fact  appears  like  a  small  specimen  of  that  kind.  It 
swims  with  most  of  the  body  submerged — perhaps  only  the 
end  of  the  nose  exposed — and  progresseis  under  water  with  per- 
fect ease,  remaining  long  without  coming  to  the  surface  to 
breathe.  This  may  be  partly  the  reason  of  its  long  survival 
under  the  pressure  of  a  deadfall. 


"  MINIvERIES.'' 


181 


The  Mink  is  not  properly  a  migratory  animal.  In  moat  sec- 
tions it  remains  permauently  where  it  takes  np  its  abode.  In 
others,  however,  it  may  be  forced  to  remove  at  times,  owing  to 
scarcity  or  failure  of  its  food-supply,  such  as  may  ensue  from 
the  freezing  of  the  waters  in  northern  parts.  Under  such  cir- 
cumstances, it  may  perform  extensive  journeys  overland.  Trap- 
pers have  indeed  spoken  to  me  of  a  <"  running''  time  with  the 
Minks,  but  I  cannot  satisfy  myself  that  reference  is  here  had 
to  anything  more  than  periods  of  sexual  activity,  when  the  ani- 
mals are  hnnting  mates.  I  do  not  think  that  whatever  "  migra- 
tion" may  take  place  is  anything  more  than  casual. 

The  rutting  season  begins  early — generally  in  February— and 
April  is  for  the  most  part  the  month  of  reproduction.  Five  or 
six  young  are  ordinarily  produced  at  a  birth.  Litters  have  been 
found  in  the  hollow  of  a  log,  as  well  as  in  the  customary  bur- 
rows. 

The  Mink  has  been  frequently  tamed,  and  is  said  to  become, 
with  due  care,  perfectly  gentle  and  tractable,  though  liable  to 
sudden  fits  of  anger,  when  no  one  is  safe  from  its  teeth.  With- 
out showing  special  affection,  it  seems  fond  of  being  caressed, 
and  may  ordinarily  be  handled  with  perfect  impunity.  The 
following  account  of  the  semi-domestication  of  Minks  on  an 
extensive  scale  will  be  read  with  interest,  not  alone  for  its 
novelty,  but  also  because  it  gives  some  precise  information 
respecting  the  reproduction  of  the  species. 

"il//Hte>v'e.s." 

The  Mink  appears  to  be  the  only  species  ot  its  genus  which 
has  been  systematically  reared  and  trained  for  ratting  in  this 
country  as  the  Ferret  is  in  Europe.  The  relationship  of  the  two 
animals  at  once  suggests  the  feasibility  of  an  experiment,  which 
has  been  tried  with  complete  success,  as  we  learn  from  an  in- 
teresting article  lately  published  in  "Forest  and  Stream"  (Oc- 
tober 23,  1874 — apparently  taken  from  "Fancier's  Journal  and 
Poultry  Exchange"  of  October  15, 1874).  I  reproduce  the  pas- 
sage in  substance. 

Mr.  H.  Eesseque,  of  Verona,  Oneida  County,  N.  Y.,  has  fre- 
quently exhibited  at  fairs  two  tame  female  Minks,  which  he 
hands  to  the  by-standers  to  be  caressed  and  passed  from  one 
to  another.  The  animals  were  ectly  gentle,  submitting  to 
be  handled,  but  it  was  noticed  that  they  kept  their  eyes  on  their 


IP 


4m'  i  I 


182 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


keeper,  to  wLoiu  they  would  frequently  extend  their  paws  like 
a  child  wishing  to  be  taken  to  its  parent.  Seven  years  ago, 
Mr.  Resseque  came  in  possession  of  a  live  wild  Mink,  and  through 
her  progeny  his  stock  has  on  some  occasions  amounted  to  ninety 
individuals,  besides  the  numerous  specimens  disposed  of.  At 
the  late  Albany  County  iiiir,  his  "  niinkery  "  was  one  of  the  novel 
features. 

Mr.  Resseque's  minkery  consists  of  twelve  stalls,  each  twelve 
feet  S(]uare,  of  stale  soil,  and  surrounded  with  a  fence  and  some 
special  precautions  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  animals.  In 
'ach  stall  is  placed  a  dry-goods'  box  for  the  home  of  the  female; 
it  has  two  openings  for  ingress  and  egress,  opposite  each  other, 
besides  a  door  on  top  to  allow  of  inspection  and  cleaning.  The 
animals  are  fed  on  sound,  fresh  meat,  as  they  do  not  relish 
tainted  tiesh.  In  summer  it  is  given  to  them  daily,  but  in  cold 
weather  a  large  quantity  is  thrown  in  at  once  and  allowed  to 
freeze,  the  Minks  helping  themselves  at  pleasure.  In  February, 
their  allowance  is  shortened,  to  get  them  into  condition  for 
breeding.  Mr.  Resseque  claims  that  this  slight  degree  of  fast- 
ing makes  them  more  lively  and  playful,  and  it  is  a  part  of  his 
plan  to  imitate  nature  as  closely  as  possible — their  supply  of 
food,  in  the  wild  state,  being  restricted  at  this  season. 

In  the  minkery,  the  sexes  are  not  allowed  to  run  together  ex- 
cept during  the  month  of  March,  which  is  considered  the  run- 
ning season  in  a  state  of  nature.  If  allowed  together  for  a 
longer  period,  the  male  teases  and  annoys  the  female.  At  this 
time,  the  males  light  desperately,  and  if  not  soon  separated  one 
always  gets  the  mastery.  The  females  come  in  heat  with  great 
regularity,  all  being  ready  for  the  male  within  tea  days;  and  the 
period  of  excitement  lasts  about  four  days.  One  male  serves 
six  females.  The  females.reproduce  when  one  year  old.  The 
duration  of  gestation  scarcely  varies  twelve  hours  from  six 
weeks.  There  is  but  one  litter  annually.  The  litters  run  from 
three  to  ten  in  number;  the  young  are  born  blind,  and  remain 
so  for  five  weeks.  When  newly  born,  they  are  light-colored, 
hairless,  and  about  the  size  and  shape  of  a  little  finger.  By 
the  time  the  eyes  are  open,  they  are  covered  with  a  beautiful, 
coat  of  glossy  hair.  The  young  females  develop  sooner  than 
the  males,  attaining  their  stature  in  ten  months,  while  the  males 
are  npt  full-grown  until  they  are  a  year  and  a  half  old.  It  is 
noted  that  in  every  litter  one  or  the  other  sex  predominates  in 
numbers,  there  being  rarely  half  of  them  males  and  the  other 


d< 
V 


"minkeries." 


183 


IiaK  females.  If  taken  in  haiul  when  their  eyes  are  first  open, 
they  are  readily  tamed ;  they  shouhl  not  subsequently  be  al- 
lowed to  remain  with  the  mother  or  iu  each  others'  society.  By 
continual  petting  and  handling,  they  become  like  dcnestic  rat- 
ters, and  have  all  the  playfulness  of  the  young  of  the  feline 
tribe.  They  may  be  handled,  without  fear  of  their  sharp  teeth, 
but  they  prove  extremely  mischievous,  their  scent  leading  them 
to  food  not  intended  for  them.  Their  fondness  for  bathing  will 
prompt  them  to  enter  a  teakettle  or  any  open  vessel;  and  when 
wetted  they  will  roll  and  dry  themselves  in  a  basket  of  clothes 
fresh  from  the  laundry,  or  even  upon  a  lady's  dress,  occasion- 
ing much  inconvenience. 

Minks  are  not  burrowing  auimcals  in  a  state  of  nature,  but 
freely  avail  themselves  of  the  holes  of  Muskrats  and  other  ver- 
min. They  cannot  climb  a  smooth  surface,  but  ascend  readily 
where  there  is  roughness  enough  for  a  nail-hold.  The  grown 
male  will  weigh  about  two  i>ouuds ;  the  female  is  heavier  than 
she  looks,  averaging  between  one  and  a  half  and  one  and  three- 
fourths  pounds.  These  tame  Minks  make  excellent  ratters, 
hunt  vigorously,  and  soon  exterminate  the  troublesome  pests. 
Kats  will  make  oft"  on  scenting  them  ;  they  are  so  bewildered 
in  flight  that  they  give  no  battle,  but  yield  at  once;  and  the 
Mink  severs  the  main  vessels  of  the  neck  so  quickly  and  skil- 
fully that  an  observer  would  (licarcely  imagine  the  deed  had 
been  done. 

When  wild  Minks  are  confined  with  the  tame  ones,  the  latter 
always  prove  stronger  than  the  former,  and  come  oil'  victorious 
in  the  contests  that  ensue.  Tuey  have  been  observed  to  beat 
off  a  cat  that  imprudently  invaded  the  miukery  in  quest  of  food. 
So  completely  domesticated  are  the  animals  that  a  person  may 
enter  the  inclosure  with  impunity,  and  observe  the  animals 
playing  about  him  like  kittens. 

Mr.  liesseque  states  that  he  finds  ready  sale  for  his  Minks — 
in  fact,  that  he  cannot  supply  the  demand.  His  prices  are  $30 
per  pair — $20  for  a  female,  $10  for  a  male,  and  $25  for  an  im- 
pregnated female.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  this  novel  branch  of 
industry  will  be  perpetuated  and  extended.  There  are  plenty 
of  Minks  in  this  country,  the  services  of  which  are  available 
without  difticulty  for  the  purpose  of  destroying  vermin,  and  in 
the  aggregate  their  good  services  would  have  a  very  decidedly 
appreciable  result.  They  have  a  great  advantage  over  terrier 
dogs  iu  being  able  to  enti  r  any  ordinary  rat-hole  and  drive  their 
prey  from  its  hidden  resorts. 


IT 


}    h 


184 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


From  the  "Forest  and  Stream"  of  July  2, 1874,  the  following 
article  is  extracted  in  further  illiistratiou  of  this  branch  of 
industry: — 

"Messrs.  Phillips  &  Woodcock,  of  Cancadea,  New  York, 
commenced  two  years  ago  the  business  of  breeding  mink  for 
their  fur.  A  correspondent  of  the  Baflfalo  Express  describes 
the  'Minkery'  in  the  following  terms: — 

"'The  "Minkery,"  designed  to  accommodate  on.e  hundred 
minks  for  breeding,  consists  first  of  an  enclosure  about  forty  feet 
square,  made  by  digging  a  trench  one  foot  deep,  laying  a  plank  at 
the  bottom,  and  from  the  outer  edge  starting  the  wall,  which 
consists  of  boards  four  feet  high,  with  a  board  to  cap  the  top, 
projecting  upward  eight  or  ten  inches  to  prevent  their  climbing 
over.  Within  this  enclosure  is  a  building  14  by  24,  supplied  by 
running  water,  from  which  the  mink  catch  living  fish,  that  are 
often  furnished,  with  the  greatest  delight. 

"'The  building  is  constructed  bj*  an  alley  three  feet  wide 
around  its  circumference.  Within  are  two  rows  of  cells  four 
feet  deep  and  two  and  a  half  wide,  each  having  a  door  venti- 
lated at  the  top  and  bottom  with  wire  screens,  as  is  also  the  front 
entrance,  what  the  proprietors  call  the  anteroom,  four  by  four 
feet,  which  must  be  fastened  within  every  time  the  building  is 
entered,  to  prevent  the  escape  of  the  imprisoned  animals.  On 
entering  the  main  hall,  which  the  minks  have  access  to  (when 
not  rearing  their  young),  they  present  a  very  playful  group. 

"'The  person  feeding  them  is  often  mounted,  for  their  food 
and  their  tenacity  of  hold  is  so  strong  that  they  may  be  drawn 
about  or  lifted  without  releasing  their  hold  upon  the  food.  The 
nest  of  the  female  is  very  peculiarly  constructed  with  grass, 
leaves,  or  straw,  with  a  lining  of  her  own  fur  so  firmly  com- 
pacted together  as  to  be  with  difficulty  torn  in  pieces.  The 
aperture  leading  to  the  nest  is  a  round  opening,  just  sufficient 
to  admit  the  dam,  and  is  provided  with  a  deflected  curtain, 
which  covers  the  entrance  and  effectually  secures  her  against 
all  invasion  when  she  is  within.  About  the  middle  of  March 
the  females  are  separated  from  the  males  until  the  young  are 
reared.  The  necessity  for  this  arises  from  the  fact  that  the 
males  seem  inclined  to  brood  the  young  almost  as  much  as  the 
dam,  when  both  are  permitted  to  remain  together. 

"'The  expense  of  feeding  these  animals  is  almost  nominal, 
being  supplied  pretty  much  entirely  from  the  usual  offal  of  a 
farm  yard,  with  occasional  woodchucks  and  game  in  general. 


"  MINKERIES." 


185 


5  A 


They  eat  this  food  with  equal  avidity  after  decomposition  baa 
taken  place,  devouring  every  particle  of  flesh,  cartilage,  and  the 
bones.  The  flesh  and  bones  entire  of  the  woodclmck  are  con- 
sumed often  at  a  single  meal.  While  the  expenst  of  keeping 
is  thus  trivial,  the  profitable  yield  of  the  animal  is  compara- 
tively immense,  it  being  considered  a  moderate  estimate  or 
claim  that  the  miuk  with  her  increase  will  equal  the  avails  of  a 


cow 


)  n 


We  find  in  Audubon  and  Bacbman  several  paragraphs  upon 
the  same  subject,  which  will  be  transcribed : — "  The  Mink,  when 
taken  young,  becomes  very  gentle,  and  forms  a  strong  attach- 
ment (?)  to  those  who  fondle  it  in  a  state  of  domestication. 
Kichardson  saw  one  in  the  possession  of  a  Canadian  woman, 
that  passed  the  day  in  her  pocket,  looking  out  occasionally 
when  its  attention  was  roused  by  any  unusual  noise.  We  had 
in  oar  possession  a  pet  of  this  kind  for  eighteen  months;  it 
regularly  made  a  visit  to  an  adjoining  fish-pond  both  morning 
and  evening,  and  returned  to  the  house  of  its  own  accord,  where 
it  continued  during  the  remainder  of  the  day.  It  waged  war 
against  the  Norway  rats  which  had  their  domicile  in  the  dam 
that  formed  the  fishpond,  and  it  caught  the  frogs  which  had 
taken  possession  of  its  banks.  We  did  not  perceive  that  it 
captured  many  fish,  and  it  never  attacked  the  poultry.  It  was 
on  good  terms  with  the  dogs  and  cats,  and  molested  no  one 
unless  its  tail  or  foot  was  accidentally  trod  upor  when  it  inva- 
riably revenged  itself  by  snapping  at  the  foot  of  the  offender. 
It  was  rather  dull  at  midday,  but  very  active  and  playful  in  the 
morning  and  evening  atid  at  night.  It  never  emitted  its  dis- 
agreeable odour  except  when  it  had  received  a  sudden  and 
severe  hurt.  It  was  fond  of  squatting  in  the  chimney  corner, 
and  formed  a  particular  attachment  to  an  armchair  in  our  study. 

"  The  latter  end  of  February  or  the  beginning  of  March,  in 
the  latitude  of  Albany,  N.  Y.,  is  the  rutting  season  of  the  Mink. 
At  this  period  the  ground  is  usually  still  covered  with  snow, 
but  the  male  is  notwithstanding  very  restless,  and  his  tracks 
may  everywhere  be  traced,  along  ponds,  among  the  slabs  around 
sawmills,  and  along  nearly  every  stream  of  water,  lie  seems 
to  keep  on  foot  all  day  as  well  as  through  the  whole  night. 
Having  for  several  days  in  succession  observed  a  number  of 
Minks  on  the  ice  hurrying  up  and  down  a  miilpoud,  where  we 
had  not  observed  any  during  the  whole  winter,  we  took  a 
position  near  a  place  which  we  had  seeu  them  pass,  in  order  to 


186 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID.E. 


\l 


procure  some  of  them.  "We  shot  six  in  the  course  of  the  morn- 
ing, anil  ascertained  that  they  were  all  large  and  old  males.  As 
we  did  not  find  a  single  female  in  a  week,  whilst  we  obtained 
a  great  number  of  males,  we  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
females,  during  this  period,  remain  in  their  burrows.  About 
the  latter  end  of  April  the  young  are  produced.  We  saw  six 
young  dug  from  a  hole  in  the  bank  of  a  Carolina  rice-field ;  on 
another  occasion  we  found  five  enclosed  in  a  large  nest  situ.'  t.  id 
on  a  small  island  in  the  marshes  of  Ashley  river.  In  the  State 
of  New  York,  we  saw  five  taken  from  a  hollow  log,  and  we  are 
inclined  to  set  down  that  as  the  average  number  of  young  the 
species  brings  forth  at  a  time." 


•,1  r 


\ 


CHAPTER    VII 


Subfamily  MEPHITIN.E :  The  Skunks. 


General  coDsiderationa — Cranial  and  dental  characters — The  anal  armature — 
Divieiou  of  the  Bubfaaiily  into  genera — Note  on  fossil  North  American 
species — The  genus  Mephitis — Jlvphitia  mephitica,  the  Common  Skunk — 
Synonymy — Habitat — Specific  characters — Description  of  external  charac- 
ters— Description  of  the  skull  and  teeth — Variation  in  the  skull  with 
special  reference  to  geographical  distribution — Anatomy  and  physiology 
of  the  anal  glands  and  properties  of  the  secretion — Geographical  distri- 
bution and  habits  of  the  Skunk — History  of  the  species — Addexduji  :  ou 
bydroi)hobia  from  Sk   ak-bite,  the  so-called  "  rabies  mephitica  ". 


General  considerations. 

A  CONCISE  diagnosis  of  this  subfamily  will  be  found  ou 
p.  10,  where  the  characters  of  the  group  are  contrasted 
with  those  of  the  other  North  American  subfamilies. 

The  subfamily  is  confined  to  America,  its  nearest  Old  World 
representatives  being  the  African  Zorillimv.  It  is  a  small  group, 
of  only  two  or  three  genera  and  perhaps  not  more  than  four  or 
live  really  good  species,  among  the  great  number  of  nominal 
ones  indicated  by  authors.  More  precise  knowledge  than  we 
now  possess  will  be  :  equired  to  fix  the  number  of  species,  espe- 
cially in  the  genus  C  nepatus.  No  more  than  three  species  are 
known  to  inhabit  North  America  north  of  Mexico,  each  one 
typical  of  a  different  genus  or  subgenus.  There  is  a  Mexican 
species  of  Mephitis  proper,  apparently  perfectly  distinct  from  M. 
mephitica.  One  North  American  and  Mexican  species  of  a  sec- 
ond allied  subgenus,  Spilogale,  and  one  or  several  North,  Cen- 
tral, and  South  American  species  of  the  very  different  genus, 
Conepatiis,  complete  the  list  as  far  as  known. 

In  entering  upon  the  Mephitinw,  we  pass  to  a  group  quite 

187 


188 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


different  from  tbe  Mustelinm  in  general  external  appearance  as 
well  as  in  structural  characters.  The  closest  relationships  ot 
the  Skunks  are  with  the  Badgers  (subfamily  Melince);  the 
affinities  of  these  two  being  so  well  marked  that  some  authors 
have  combined  them  in  the  same  subfamily.  The  Skunks  and 
Badgers  agree  in  many  points  of  external  conformation;  in  fact, 
Conepatua  majntrito,  one  of  the  Skunks,  is  almost  as  much  of  a 
Badger,  to  all  outward  appearance.  They  are  terrestrial  ani- 
mals, of  more  or  less  perfected  fossorial  habits ;  the  walk  is 
plantigrade;  the  fore  claws  are  enlarged,  straightened,  and 
well  fitted  for  digging.  The  general  form  is  very  stout;  tbe 
legs  are  short,  and  the  body  consequently  low ;  the  tail  is  more 
or  less  bushy,  and  the  whole  pelage  is  loose.  The  physiognomy 
is  somewhat  hog  like,  especially  in  the  Badgers  and  in  Conepatus, 
owing  to  the  production  and  enlargement  of  the  snout.  These 
animals  neither  climb  trees  nor  swim  in  the  water;  their  gait 
is  comparatively  slow  and  lumbering ;  their  retreats  are  bur- 
rows in  the  ground,  dens  in  rocks  or  logs,  or  sometimes  the 
shelter  aiforded  by  out-of-the-way  nooks  in  human  habitations. 
Some  of  the  species  hibernate. 

Cranial  and  dental  characters. 

There  is  also  a  singular  cranial  character  by  which  the  Skunks 
and  Badgers  may  be  collectively  distinguished  from  any  other 
North  American  Mustelida;.  The  conduit  of  the  posterior  nares 
is  completely  separated  into  right  and  left  passages  by  a  vertical 
bony  septum,  which  extends  to  the  hind  end  of  the  palate.  lu 
all  the  other  Miistelidw  treated  in  this  work,  the  posterior  nares 
are  thrown  into  one  channel  by  total  lack,  posteriorly,  of  any 
such  partition. 

Nevertheless,  the  structural  characters  of  most  weight  in 
classification  are  abundantly  sufficient  to  mark  off  Mephithw 
and  Melinw  as  groups  differing  from  each  other  as  much  as  most 
other  subfamilies  of  the  Mustelidee  do.  Reference  to  the  tables 
of  characters  already  given  (pp.  7,  8)  will  show  this.  Here  I 
may  recall  some  of  the  leading  peculiarities  of  the  Mephitina'. 

The  skull  of  any  Skunk  may  be  known  at  a  glance,  on  com 
parison  with  that  of  any  other  Musteline  animal,  by  the  depth 
of  the  emargination  between  the  pterygoids,  which  is  always 
much  greatei  than  the  distance  from  the  end  of  this  emargina- 
tion to  the  molars.    The  post-molar  portion  of  the  bouy  palate 


CRANIAL   CHARACTERS    OF  MEPHITIS.E. 


189 


in  Mephites  and  Sxnlogale  is  mj/,  or  almost  so ;  that  is,  the  palate 
ends  nearly  or  exactly  opposite  the  posterior  border  of  tho  last 
molar.  lu  Conepatu8,  the  palate  reaches  a  little  farther  back, 
but  still  not  nearly  halfway  to  the  ends  of  the  pterygoids.  In 
other  North  American  Mustelkkv,  the  palate  usually  extends 
half-way  or  more  to  the  extremities  of  the  pterygoids.  The 
cranium  of  the  Mephitinw  is  further  peculiar  in  the  periotic 
region.  The  auditory  bulljB  themselves  are  small,  and  but 
moderately  inflated  at  the  base,  with  well-marked  constriction 
of  a  tubular  meatus;*  while  the  parts  lying  behind  the  bulhi? 
are  nuusually  expanded,  presenting  a  flattish  and  more  or  less 
horizontal  large  surface,  which  widely  separates  the  paroctip- 
itai  processes  from  the  bullfe.t  In  Lutrimv  and  Enhydrina;  the 
paroccipitals  are  remote  from  the  buUie,  but  there  is  no  such 
inflation  of  the  mastoid  region  as  is  witnessed  in  some  of  the 
Mephitinw,  as  in  Spilogale,  where  the  swelling  of  the  mastoid 
cells  results  in  a  convexity  of  the  parts  only  less  than  that  of 
the  bullfe  themselves.  The  anteorbital  foramen  is  remarkably 
small,  circular,  canal-like,  and  occasionally  divided  into  several 
smaller  openings.  The  postorbital  processes  are  small  or 
obsolete;  the  postorbital  constriction  of  the  skull  is  compar- 
atively slight.  The  glenoid  fossa  is  shallow,  presenting  much 
forward  as  well  as  downward,  and  never  locks  the  condyle  of 
the  jaw,  as  so  often  happens  in  Melina:  The  coronoid  process 
of  the  mandible  is  variable  in  Mephitinw,  for  while  in  Me2)hitis 
and  Spiloyale  it  is  erect  and  conical,  as  usual  in  Mustelida',  in 
Conepatus  it  takes  a  backward  slope,  and  is  obtusely  falcate,  as 
in  Enhydrince. 

The  teeth  of  Mephitina  are  also  diagnostic  in  the  combina- 
tion of  a  large  quadrate  back  upper  molar  with  pm.  ^  or  ^^^^  (the 
latter  formula  peculiar  to  Conepatus,  but  not  always  obtaining, 
even  in  that  genus)4 

The  detailed  descriptions  of  the  skull  and  teeth  given  beyond 
under  heads  of  the  several  genera  of  Mephitinw  render  further 
account  unnecessary  here.  I  would,  however,  advert  to  the 
extraordinarily  high  rate  of  variability  inherent  in  the  crania 
of  these  animals.    In  other  groups,  genera  might  very  well  be 

*  In  Melina,  the  iuflatiou  of  the  bulhe  is  at  a  maximum  for  the  family. 
tin  Melince,  and  also  in  JJut)teUn<r,  the  paroccipitals  are  close  to,  or  in  con- 
tact with,  the  bulla;. 
tMelin..    with  pm.  ^-,  have  a  perfectly  triangular  back  upper  molar: 


3-3 


Lutrhm,  with  quadrate  back  upper  molar,  have  pm, 


4-4 

■i-V 


190 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


established  upon  diflferences  which  are  here  nothing  but  fortu- 
itous individual  Tariations,  or  even  the  progressive  changes 
with  age  during  the  life  of  the  same  individual.  A  Skunk's 
skull  is  as  variable  in  shape  as  its  pelage  is  in  color.  (Oominre 
riate  X  with  XI,  or  Plate  XIII  with  XIV,  and  see  what  ex- 
traordinary differences  skulls  of  the  same  species  may  show.) 
The  general  pattern  of  coloration,  and  the  colors  themselves, 
are  likewise  diagnostic  of  this  subfamily,  as  all  the  species  are 
1)lack  and  white. 

The  anal  armature. 


No  general  sketch,  however  cursory,  of  leading  features  of 
this  subfamily  should  fail  to  note  the  point  which  renders  the 
Skunks  infamous,  makes  their  very  name  an  opprobrious  epi- 
thet, and  almost  forbids  its  use  in  the  ordinary  conversation  of 
the  polite.  The  matter  is  so  notorious  that  comment  may  be 
confined  to  the  zoological  aspects  of  the  case,  including  a  refu- 
tation of  various  absurd  notions  still  current  among  the  vulgar. 
Special  interest  attaches  to  the  subject,  since  it  seems  probable 
that  there  is  some  occult  connection  between  failure  of  the  sup- 
ply of  the  fluid  and  a  state  of  the  system  in  which  the  saliva 
of  the  animals  is  capable  of  inoculating  a  disease  similar  to 
hydrophobia. 

It  was  supposed  for  many  years  that  the  intolerably  oflfensive 
fluid  was  the  animal's  urine,  voided  by  an  ordinary  act  of  mic- 
turition, but  with  malice  prepense.  Its  wide  diffusion  was 
sometimes  fancied  to  be  secured  by  means  of  the  bushy  tail, 
which,  charged  with  the  liquid,  served  as  a  mop  to  flirt  it 
around.  The  obvious  diflflculties  in  the  way  of  anatomical  in- 
vestigation long  kept  the  facts  in  the  case  concealed. 

The  fluid  is  the  secretion  of  certain  glands  situated  in  the 
perinceum,  on  each  side  of  the  rectum.  So  far  from  being  pecu- 
liar to  Skunks,  similar  glands  exist  throughout  the  Mustelida;, 
and  are,  in  fact,  among  the  characteristic  structures  of  the  fam- 
ily. In  the  Mephitince,  however,  they  reach  the  maximum  of 
development,  and  their  secretion  acquires  qualities  which  make 
it  the  most  penetrating,  diffusible,  and  intolerable  of  animal 
effluvia.  The  anatomical  structure  is  fully  described  beyond ; 
here  I  need  only  advert  to  some  leading  features. 

Each  gland  is  a  secretory  sac  enveloped  with  a  muscular  tunic, 
and  furnished  with  a  duct  to  convey  the  secretion  ;  the  orifice 


GENERIC   SUBDIVISION    OF    MEPHITIN.K. 


191 


of  this  duct  is  u])Ou  a  papilla,  which  is  situated  on  the  side  oi 
the  anus,  just  withiu  the  verge.  Contraction  of  the  muscular 
investment  comprepses  the  sac,  and  causes  the  fluid  to  spirt 
from  the  anal  pore ;  the  actiou  is  precisely  that  of  a  syringe 
with  compressible  bulb.  The  Skunk  is  as  cleanly  as  any 
other  animal,  and  the  peculiar  actiou  observed  at  the  moment 
of  the  discharge  prevents  the  wettiug  of  the  fur.  Forcible 
erection  of  the  tail  is  accompanied  by  a  tension  of  the  periuanim, 
and  an  eversion  of  the  anus,  most  favorable  to  forcible,  unim- 
peded, and  direct  evacuation  of  the  contents  of  the  sac.  The 
operation  is  wholly  under  the  voluntary  control  of  the  animal, 
and  seems  to  be  chiefly  resorted  to  in  self-defenc;.,  although 
there  is  reason  to  suppose  that  the  evacuation  must  recur  at 
intervals  simply  to  avoid  over-distension  of  a  continually  secret- 
mg  organ  with  its  own  products.  Ordinarily,  however,  the 
iSkunk  is  not  more  odorous  than  maiiy  other  animals ;  it  may 
even  be  captured,  under  some  circumstances,  without  provok- 
ing an  emission ;  nor  do  the  horrible  possibilities  of  the  stench 
always  render  the  flesh  of  the  animal  uneatable.  In  contem- 
plating this  singular  provision  of  nature  for  the  protection  of 
an  otherwise  inoft'ensive  and  almost  defenceless  creature,  we 
cannot  but  admire  the  simplicity  of  the  means  employed.  Some 
little  further  development  of  glands  common  to  the  MusteUda, 
and  some  inscrutable  modification  of  the  operations  of  the 
secretory  follicles,  which  gives  a  peculiar  character  to  the  fluid 
elaborated,  result  in  means  of  self-preservation  as  singular  as 
it  is  efficacious,  habitual  reliance  upon  which  changes  the 
economy  of  the  animal  aud  impresses  its  whole  nature. 

Division  of  the  subfamily  into  genera. 

There  are  two  strongly  marked  generic  types  of  the  Mephitina;, 
one  of  them  susceptible  of  subdivision  into  two  subgenera.  In 
a  former  paper,*  in  which  the  skulls  and  teeth  of  the  Mephitinm 
were  described,  I  allowed  three  full  genera,  following  Dr.  Gill  jt 
but  I  am  now  rather  inclined  to  consider  Spilogale  as  only  a 
subgenus.  It  certainly  diff'ers  much  less  from  M^hitis  proper 
than  Conepatus  does,  and  the  degree  of  differentiation  seems  to 
me  to  accord  closely  with  that  subsisting,  for  example,  among 
the  subdivisions  of  the  genus  Putorins. 

*  Bull.  U.  S.  Geol.  &  Geogr.  Surv.  Terr.  8d  ser.  no.  1,  1875,  p.  li.         , 
t  Arrang.  Fam.  Mamm.  1872,66. 


■r^ 


192 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


I 


The  (livisious  of  Me})hitin(v  are  expressed  iu  tbe  foUowiug 
diagnoses: — 

A.  Teetb  34;  ptii.  ^^^.     Dorsa!    ontline  of   skull    not   in  one  coutiuuons 

curve.  End  of  muzzle  truncate  vertically,  or  with  little  obliquity. 
Palate  euding  opposite  Inst  molar  (more  or  less  exactly).  (Periotic 
region  varyinfj  with  the  subgenera.)  Corouoid  process  of  Jaw  coni- 
caf,  erect,  its  fore  aud  hind  borders  converging  to  a  vertical  apex  in 
advance  of  condyle.  Angle  of  mandible  not  exflected.  Snout  not 
notably  produced  nor  depressed.  Nostrils  lateral.  Tail  very  long 
and  very  bushy.  Soles  comparatively  narrow,  hairy  at  least  in  part. 
North,  Middle,  but  probably  not  South  Americau.    Gtxtta  Mephitis.* 

a.  Skull  not  depressed,  the  dorsal  outline  irregularly  convex,  highest 

over  the  orbits.  Zygomata  moderately  arched  upward,  highest  be- 
hind. Postorbital  processes  usually  obsolete.  Mastoid  processes 
tlaring  strongly  outward,  much  beyond  orifice  of  meatus.  Periotic 
region  not  particularly  indated.  Size  large.  Colors  massed  in  large 
areas Snhg.  Mephitin. 

b.  Skull  depressed,  the  dorsal  outline  approaching  straightuess,  particu- 

larly over  the  orbits.  Zygomata  strongly  arched  upward,  highest  in 
the  middle.  Postorbital  processes  well  developed.  Mastoid  pro- 
cesses slight,  scarcely  produced  beyond  orifice  of  meatus.  Periotic 
region  peculiarly  intlated  by  development  of  mastoid  sinuses,  the 
under  surface  swolleu,  and  giving  a  quasi  appearance  of  a  second 
bulla  anditoria  behind  the  real  one Suhg.  SpilogaleA 

B.  Teeth  normally  32;  pm.  |7  3  >  sometimes,  however,  ~y,  from  presence  of  an 

additional  minute  premolar,t  corresponding  to  the  anterior  one  of  Mc 
phitia.  Dorsal  outline  of  skull  one  contiDuons  curve,  more  or  less 
regular,  from  occipital  protuberance  to  ends  of  premaxillaries,  owing 
to  the  great  obliquity  of  truncation  of  the  end  of  the  rostrum,  which 
brings  the  profile  of  nasal  orifice  into  line  with  that  of  the  forehead ; 
skull  highest  in  parietiil  region.  Palate  produced  decidedly  past  the 
last  molars,  yet  not  half-way  to  ends  of  pterygoids.  Periotic  region 
much  as  in  Meplniia  proper,  but  the  mastoids  rather  as  in  Spilogale, 
projecting  more  downward  than  outward.  Postorbital  processes 
usually  obsolete.  Zygomata  slightly  arched  upward.  Coronoid  pro- 
cess of  jaw  sloping  backward,  obtusely  falcate,  with  convex  anterior 
and  concave  posterior  margin,  the  apex  nearly  overtopping  condyle. 
Angle  of  the  mandible  strongly  exflected.  Of  large  size,  extremely 
stout  form,  and  somewhat  Badger-like  appearance.  Snout  strongly 
produced,  depressed.  Nostrils  inferior.  Tail  short  and  little  busby 
(for  this  subfamily).  Soles  very  broad,  entirely  naked.  Coloration 
massed  in  large  areas.  South,  Middle,  and  (scarcely)  North  Ameri- 
can  Genus  CoNEPATUS.iJ 

'  Etym. — Lat.  mephitis,  a  foul  or  noxious  exhalation. 

t  Etym. — Greek  am}.og,  a  spot;  }n?.r),  a  kind  of  Weasel. 

t  The  anterior  lower  premolar  is  said  to  be  sometimes  wanting. 

$  A  barbarous  word,  like  many  other  of  J.  £.  Gray's  genera,  derived  from 
Gonepatl  or  Conepate,  the  name  of  the  animal  in  the  vernacular  (probably 
Mexican)  of  countries  it  inhabits. 


MEPIIITES    PKONTATA    (fOSSIL.)  193 

Note  on  fossil  North  Anierioan  species  of  Mephitis. 

Mephitla  fronlnta,  Ootiet. 

MephiliN  frontata,  aoue»,  Bull.  n.  S.  Gool.  aud  Gcog.  Snrv.  Terr.  2d  ser.  uo.  1,  lelTS, 
7,  with  woodcut. 

From  the  bone-caves  of  Pennsylvania.    Post-pliocene. 

Si'KCiKic  CHARACTKH8. — SkuU  extreinoly  high  in  the  middle ;  the  profile  of 
the  npper  outline  very  rapidly  descending  in  a  nearly  straight  line  from  this 
point  to  the  occiput  and  uiuzzlo.  Greatest  depth  of  skull  without  jaw  little 
1<!8H than  half  its  length.  Zygoma  highly  arched;  the  bone  in  frout  com- 
pressed vertically  instead  of  laterally. 

This  species  is  founded  on  a  skull,  No.  2332  of  the  Smith- 
sonian Museum,  obtained  by  Prof.  Baird  in  the  bone-caves  of 
Pennsylvania.  The  animal  was  a  true  Mephitis,  closely  related 
to  M.  mephitica,  if  reallj'  different.  Though  the  frontal  region  is 
always  tumid  in  Mephitis,  there  is  seen  in  the  recent  species 
nothing  like  the  protuberance  and  angulation  of  the  vertex  of 
M.  frontata.  The  prominence  is  also  decidedly  more  posterior ;  it 
is  something  over  and  above  the  general  tumidity  of  the  inter- 
orbital  region  of  recent  Mephitis;  the  shape  is  rather  as  in  GulOf 
but  even  the  profile  of  the  latter  is  here  exaggerated.  The 
prominence  appears  to  be  mainly  due  to  enlargement  of  the 
frontal  sinuses,  as  may  be  seen  in  this  specimen,  in  which  the 
outer  tablet  of  the  skull  is  abraded  in  places,  exposing  the 
interior.  With  this  general  elevation  is  associated  a  notably 
higher  arch  of  the  zygoma,  and  the  malar  is  slenderer  than  in 
recent  species  at  its  anterior  portion,  where  it  is  curiously  nar- 
rowed vertically  instead  of  being  laminar  throughout.  None 
of  these  characters  obtain  in  any  of  the  numerous  recent  skulls 
examined,  notwithstanding  the  great  variability  of  the  latter. 
The  animal  was  of  the  size  of  the  common  species.  The  skull 
in  general  bulk  is  intermediate  between  various  specimens  of 
that  of  M.  mephitica. 

Mr.  J.  A.  Allen*  takes  exception  to  the  specific  validity  of 
the  species  in  the  following  terms : — 

" Dr.  Coues  has  ventured  to  describe  a  *  new 

species '  {M.  frontata),  based  on  a  fossil  skull  from  one  cf  the 
bone-caves  of  Pennsylvania,  as  it  seems  to  me,  unadvisedly. 
The  specimen,  though  that  of  a  very  aged  individual,  is  scarcely 
larger  [....]  than  the  average  of  specimens  from  the 
Eastern  States,  its  chief  difference  from  the  average  skull  con- 

*  Bull.  U.  S.  Geol.  and  Geog.  Surv.  Terr.  vol.  ii,  no.  4, 1W6,  p.  333. 
13  m 


194 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID.E. 


.sintiii^  ill  an  abnormal  tumidity  of  the  frontal  region,  arii^ing 
evidently  from  disease.  It  is  a  feature  by  no  means  confined 
to  the  present  example,  but  is  merely  an  extreme  enlargement 
of  the  sinuses  of  the  frontal  region  often  seen  in  specimens  of 
the  existing  animal,  evidently  resulting  from  disease.  In  No. 
917  (Albany,  N.  Y.),  No.  8099  (Fort  Cobb,  Ind.  T.),  No.  1878 
(Calcasieu  Pass,  La.),  and  No.  1G20  (Indianola,  Tex.),  the  same 
tendency  is  strongly  marked,  which,  in  some  of  these  speci- 
mens, had  they  attained  equal  age,  must  have  resulted  in  a 
malformation  nearly  or  quite  as  great  as  is  seen  in  the  fossil 
skull  in  question. 

^'  In  this  connection,  I  may  add  that  a  pretty  careful  exam- 
ination of  the  fossil  remains  of  Carnrvora,  collected  by  Profes- 
sor Baird  many  years  since  from  the  bone-caves  of  Pennsylva- 
nia (of  which  thiH  fossil  skull  of  the  3kunk  forms  a  part),  has 
failed  to  show  any  of  them  to  be  specifically  different  from  the 
species  now  or  recently  living  in  the  same  region.  Many  of 
them  are  remains  of  individuals  of  large  size,  but  not  exceed- 
ing the  dimensions  of  the  specimens  of  the  recent  animal  from 
the  same  or  contiguous  regions.  These  remains  include,  among 
others,  the  following  species : — Lynx  rufus,  Urocyon  virginiamts, 
Mustela  pennanti,  Mustela  amerieana,  Putorius  viaon,  Lutra  cana- 
dtmis,  Mephitis  mephitica  (other  specimens  than  the  ^frontata^ 
skull),  Procyon  lotor,  Ursm  amcricanus,  etc." 

Granting  that  the  probabilities  are  against  the  validity  of 
the  species,  it  may  be  observed  that  the  disease  theory  is  not 
proven,  and  that  no  recent  specimens  of  Mephitis  have  been 
found  to  match  this  one. 

This  species,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  is  the  only  fossil  Skunk 
described  as  such ;  but  compare  antect,  p.  18,  on  the  question 
of  "  Oalera  "  perdieida. 

The  Genus  MEPHITIS.    (CuviER.) 

X  Viverra  «p.,  of  some  early  aathors. 

< Mephitis,  Cuvier,  "Lemons  4'Anat.  i.  1800"  (coextensive  with  the  subfamily),  and  of 

aathors  (generally.— Batrd,  M.  N.  A.  1857, 191. 
<  ChiBChil,  Lets.  Konv.  Tab.  K.  An.  1843. 

>  Spilogalf ,  Gray,  Proo.  Zoiil.  ttoc.  1865, 150.    (Type,  8.  interrupta  =  M.  putoriui.) 

>  Mephitis,  CHll,  Arrang.  Fani.  Mamin.  1872,  66  (restricted  to  snbg.  Mephitis  as  char- 

acterized in  this  paper)  .—Cowe4,  Ball.  IT.  S.  (}eol.  Snnr.  3d  ser.  i.  1875  (same  n- 
striotion). 

For  characters,  see  a  preceding  page  (p.  192).         ' 
The  several  North  American  species  of  Mephitis  proper  (as 
restricted  to  exclude  8pilogale)  indicated  by  authors  are  re- 


ChliiKa, , 


SYNONYMY   OP   MEPHITIS   MEPIIITICA. 


195 


(Incible  to  one,  possibly  divisible  into  two  or  three  geograph- 
ical races.  There  is  a  second  Mexican  species,  apparently 
valid,  which  will  be  brought  into  the  present  connection  to 
complete  a  review  of  the  genus.  A  fossil  species  is  also  de- 
scribed in  the  foregoing  pages.  Mephitis  proper  and  SpHoijalc 
are  both  conAned,  as  far  as  known,  to  North  and  Middle 
America,  Conepatus  being  the  only  South  American  type  of 
McphitinWy  but  also  extending  through  Middle  America  to  the 
Mexican  border  of  the  United  States. 

The  Hoiiinioii  Skunk. 

Mephitis  niopliitlcu. 

Plateh  X,  XI. 
(a.  mephitica.) 

VIrcrra  mephitica,  Shaio,  Mug.  Lovor.  1793, 173,  no.  4,  pi.  6;  Gen.  Zo<il.  i.  IROO,  390,  pi.  94,  mid- 
dle fi;:. 

McphUh  aephlllca,  Bd.  M.  N.  A.  1857,  195.— <7ooi>.  rf  Suckl  N.  II.  W.T.  1860,94.— //a j/rf. 
Trans.  Am.  Pbiloa.  Soo.  xii.  Icl63,  IVi.—SamwU,  Ninth  Ann.  Rep.  MasB.  Agrio.  for  letll, 
18C3,  IGl.— Oerr.Cat.  Bunea  Br.  Mua.  1863, 97.— A  {!«}»,  Bui  I.  M.C.  Z.  i.  1^9, 178;  il,  1871, 169 
(critical).— Alien,  Pr.Bost.  Soo.  xlii.  1869, 183.— Oiipin,  Proc.  and  Tr.  N.  Scotia  Inat.  ii.  1870, 

60.— fiftee.  U.  S.  Oeol.  Surv.  Terr,  for  1870,  1871, 481 Parker,  Am.  Nat.  v.  1871, 246  (anal. 

of  aual  glands,  tLC.).—AUtn,  Bnl!.  Ess.  Inst.  vi.  1874, 46, 54, 59, 63.— AU«n,  Proc.  Boat.  Soc . 
xvii.  1874,  p.  38.— AmM,  Bull.  Minn.  Acad.  Nat  Sci.  1674, 69.— Oot<«»,Bull.U.S.  Oeol.  and 
GooRP.  Surv.  Terr.  2d  ser.  no.  1, 1875,  8  (skull  and  teeth).— Oou«8  <£  Yarrow,  Zool.  Ezpl. 
W.  100  Merid.  v.  1875, 63.-.AHen,  Bull.  U.  a  Geol.  Snrv.  vol.  ii.  na  4, 1876, 332  (akall). 

Mephitis  Chlnga,  Tied.  Zool.  1.  I8O8, 363  (partly).— £toA(.  Darstell.  Siiuj;.  1837-34,  pi.  45,  f.  1  ; 
Abh.  Akad.Wiss.  Berl.  for  1836,  1838,280.— J/oorim.  Reise  N.  A.  i.  1833,  250;  Arch.  f. 

Naturg.  1861,—  ;  Verz.  N.  A.  Sang.  1863,  i'i.—  Wagn.  Snppl.  Sohreb.  ii.  1841, 198 Sehim, 

Syn.  i.  1844, 333,  no.  13.— Aud.  rf  Baeh.  Q.  N.  A.  1. 1849, 317,  pi.  43.— OiebeJ,  SSug.  1855,  766.— 
Fitiinger,  Naturg.  Sttag.  i.  1861, 315,  f.  63. 

Mephitis  amerlcana  var.  K,  De»m.  Mamm.i.  1820, 186  ("Mugtela",  laptu.  Includes  all  the 
American  Slcunks,  vara.  A — R) ;  Nout.  Diet  xzl.  515  (var.  7). — •/.  iSTab.  App.  Frankl. 
Jonrn.  1823, 653.— ITarl.  Fn.  Am.  182.i,  70.— Gri/.  An.  Kingd.  v.  1827, 127,  no.  358  (partly). 
Lets.  Man.  1827, 151,  no.  iW.—Qodm.  Am.  Nat  Hist.  i.  1831, 313,  pi.  - f.  l.—Doughty'g (Jab. 
N.  H.  ii.  1832, 193,  pi.  17.  —Rich.  Zoiil.  Beechey 'a  Voy.  1839,  4.— Emmons,  Rep.  Quad.  Mass. 
1840,  49.— Z)e£^ay,N.T.  Znol.i.  1842,  29,  pi.  12,  f.  l.—  Wyman,  Pr.  Boat.  Soc.  1844,  110 
(anat.).— TTarren,  Pr.Bost  Soo.  Hi.  1849, 175(anat).— ITiojnp*.  N.  H.  Vermont,  1853,33.— 
WoodL  Sitgr.  Rep.  1853,  4i.—Kenn.  Tr.  Illinois  Agric.  Soc.  for  1853-4, 1855,  578.—Beeg- 
ley,  Geol.  Cape  May,  1857,  l37.—BiUing$,  Canad.  Nat  and  Geol.  i.  1857,  360.— 2aU, 
Canad.  Nat.  and  G«oL  vi  1861, 396. 

Mephitis  amerieana  var.  hudsonlca,  Rich.  F.  B.-A.  i.  1829,  55,  no.  19. 

Chincha  amerlcana,  2^«.  Nonv.  Tabl.  R.  A.  1842, 67.  " 

Mephitis  chllicl:e«  Piseh.  Syn.  1829, 160  (includes  other  species ;  quotes  Tiedemann  primarily). 

Mephitis  Tarlans  var.  chinga,  Oray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 148 ;  Cat  Cam.  Br.  Mas.  1869,  — . 

t'hinche,  Shaw,  I.  c—Qeoff.  <£  Ouv.  "  Hist  Mamm.  ii.  1819,  — ,  pi.  —(Louisiana)." 

.Mephltic  Weesel,  Shaw,  Mas.  Lever. 

Ouinesque,  Sag.-thiod.  Hist  Canad.  1636, 748  (ed.  of  1866,  ill.  680). 

Enfan  du  Diabie,  CAarlev. N. France, V,  1744, 196.  '       ''' 

Polecat,  JTolm,  Yoy. ,452. 

Siinnli,  Font.  PhiL  Trans.  Ixil.  1773, 374.— Penn.  Arct  Zool.  1. 1784, 85,  no.  33.— flear.  ^owm. 
,  377. 

Chinga,  <ScA<n2, 1.  &  * 


tft  f 


>j 


.- 


196 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELIDiE. 


Mourctie  d'AitiCrlqiic,  Le»».  ftc.  &c. 
l<'l!«kKlla,  Swedish.  > 

Itfte  puiinf*',  French, 
>4(iiikthter,  Oermaiu 


(Ii.  mesonielns.) 


Mcphi(lf)ine8ompiai4,/>tc/iM)nr8t.  KSHug.  1827-34,  pi.  55,  f.2;  Abh.Ak.Wiss.  Bcrl.  for  18.')6,183S, 
277.— .Vrt«m.  Keise,  i.  1S39, 240;  Arch.  NaturK.  xxvii.  1861,  218  j  Verz.  N.  A.  Siing.  1862, 
■iC,.—iichi>u,Syn.  i.  1844,  32*2,  uo.  li.— St.  Hil.  Zool.Voy.  V6nu»,  i.  1855, 133,  pi.  —.—Bd.  M. 
>'.  \.  1857,  laa  (alter  Licht.). 

Mephitis  mesomoles,  Oerr.  Cat.  Bones  Hr.  Mu».  If'fi2, 97. 

Mephili»orri<lentallS,£(I.  M.  N.  A.  1857,  \U.—Nowb.  V.  R.  U.  Rep.  vl.  1857,  44.— Coop.  <«  Suck. 
K.n.AV.T.  1860,  116. 

Mepliltis  meplillica  imr.  orcldcntails,  Mernam,  U.  S.  Geol.  Surv.  Terr,  for  1872, 1873, 662. 

Mepliitis  varians  txcr.  a,  Oray,  P.  Z.  S,  18(>5, 148  ;  Cat.  Carn.  lir.  Miia.  1869,  — . 

(e.  varians.) 

Mepliltis  varlans.  Gray,  Mag.  N.  II.  i.  837,  SSI.— Oray,  List  Maram.  Br.  Mas.  1843, 6S.—Bd.  M. 

N.  A.  IMV,  193;  Mox.  B.  Surv.  ii.  pt.  ii,  18.'>9,  Maiiiiii.  VJ.—Gen:  Cat.  Bones  Br.  Mas.  1862, 

97.-<}roj/,  P.  Z.  S.  186!),  148  ;  Cat.  Cam.  Br.  Mns.  1869,  — . 
Mcphilis  mnrroiira,  Aud.  a  Jtach.  q.  K.  A.  ill.  1853, 11,  pi.  102.— Woodh.  Sitgr.  Rep.  1853, 44. 

(But  not  of  Liolitoustbin.) 

Hab. — Eutiro  temperate  North  America.  North  to  Hiidsou'a  Bay  and  Great 
Slave  Lake.    South  into  Mexico  (Matamoras,  Monterey). 

Spkcikic  ciiAKACTKits. — Black  or  blackish  ;  a  frontal  streak,  nuchal  spot, 
and  two  dorsal  stripes  white;  tail  black,  more  or  less  mixed  with  white  or 
white-tipped.  Tail  with  hairs  not  as  long  as  head  and  body  ;  the  vertebnu 
about  iialf  this  dimension.  Length  from  nose  to  root  of  tail  over  one  loot ; 
8ules  about  2lt  inches. 

Description  of  external  characters.* 

The  Skunk  is  a  stoutly  built  animal,  with  a  small  head,  low 
ears,  and  short  limbs,  the  trunk  thick-set  and  especially  large 
behind,  the  back  naturally  arched  as  well  as  broad ;  tail  long 
and  very  bushy.  The  head  is  pointedly  couoidal,  with  a  con- 
vex frontal  profile  and  sloping  occiput ;  there  is  little  of  tiie 
breadth  and  depression  characteristic  of  the  Weasels,  the 
regular  conoid  being  nearly  expressed.  The  eye  is  small,  and 
nearer  the  nose  than  ear.  The  nasal  pad  is  of  considerable  size, 
and  protuberant,  definitely  naked  for  a  closely  circumscribed 
area,  the  outline  nearly  circular;  the  face  of  the  muffle  is  bevelled 
a  little  obliquely  downward  aud  backward;  the  nostrils  are 
chiefly  lateial,  but  their  anterior  extremity  is  visible  from  the 
front.  The  ears  are  low,  though  the  piuua  is  decidedly  better 
developed  than  in  Conepatus ;  the  general  set  of  the  conch  is 
rather  bfickward  than  upward,  as  its  anterior  extremity  is 
inserted  little  below  the  highest  point  of  the  brim ;  the  contour 

*  From  a  large  series  of  specimens  in  the  Smithsonian  Institution  from 
various  portions  of  North  America. 


"'u 


EXTERNAL   CHARACTERS   OP   MEPHITIS   MEPHITICA.      197 


of  the  free  edge  is  nearly  orbicnlar,  with,  however,  a  slight 
obtuse  angulation.  The  feet  are  not  so  broad  and  flat  as  in 
Conepatus,  yet  they  show  large  plantar  and  palmar  surfaces. 
These  are  usually  naked,  except  for  a  varying  distance  behind ; 
the  soles,  in  particular,  being  generally  hairy  for  about  a  third 
way  from  the  heel.  The  palms  present  behind,  just  in  advance 
of  the  wrist,  a  padded  prominence,  more  or  loss  completely 
divided  lengthwise;  in  advance  of  this  is  a  crosswise  depres- 
sion ;  at  the  bases  of  the  digits  is  a  cresocptic  padded  area, 
divided  more  or  less  evidently  in  different  specimens  into  three 
or  four  smaller  pjnls.  This  divisiou  is  sometimes  very  evident, 
the  lines  of  impression  being  deep  and  sharp  ;  in  other  cases, 
little  more  than  a  general  horseshoe-shaped  padded  area  is 
recognizable.  There  is  u)  constancy  about  this  ;  and  the  differ- 
ence which  has  been  claimed  between  Mephitis  and  SinloQah 
cannot  be  satisfactorily  substantiated.  The  digits  are  short — 
in  fact,  they  are  exceeded  in  length  by  the  longer  ones  of  the 
claws  they  bear.  Of  these,  the  third  and  fourth  are  sube<iual 
and  longest,  the  second  is  little  shorter,  the  lifth  reaches  hardly 
half-way  along  the  fourth,  and  the  first  scarcely  attains  the 
base  of  the  second.  The  middle  three  claws  are  very  long, 
strong,  compressed,  little  curved,  acute  and  fossorial  in  cliar- 
acter;  the  lateral  ones  are  shorter,  stouter  for  their  length,  and 
more  curved.  The  claws  of  the  hind  feet  are  quite  different, 
being  all  short,  stout,  and  obtuse,  and  covered  with  hairs ;  the 
middle  three  are  approximatetly  equal  in  length,  the  fifth  is 
much  shorter,  and  the  drst  falls  short  of  the  base  of  the  second. 
The  naked  part  of  the  sole  presents  a  general  broad  flat  area 
behind,  succeeded  by  an  irregular  depression,  and  this  by  the 
padding  at  the  bases  of  the  toes,  which  is  imperfectly  divided 
into  three.  The  terminal  balls  of  the  toes  almost  immediately 
succeed,  these  digits  being  very  short  and  extensively  connected 
together. 

The  tail  of  the  Skunk  is  remarkably  bushy,  with  long  harsh 
coarse  hairs,  almost  like  a  kind  of  tow.  Tlie  hairs  are  loose 
and  flaccid,  their  '*set"  depending  in  a  great  measure  upon  the 
inov^ements  or  position  of  the  member.  In  the  bushiest-tailed 
examples,  the  hairs  fall  loosely  all  around  when  the  tail  is  ele- 
vated, like  the  plumes  of  a  pompdn,as  well  represented  in  Audu- 
bon's plate  of  his  so-called  ^^maorvra^''  {neo  Licht).  lu  other 
cases,  the  set  of  the  hairs  is  more  stable.  No  distichous  arrange- 
ment is  recognizable.     There  is  no  fine  under  fur  on  the  tail. 


'' 


iili 


hi 


198 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


1 1 
1 1 


The  haira  of  the  tail  which  are  entirely  white  (all  are  usually 
white  basally)  are  somewhat  diflferent  in  texture  from  the  rest, 
being  even  coarser  and  looser.  They  appear  at  the  end  of  the 
tail  in  a  white  tuft  that  seems  to  have  little  connection  with  the 
general  pelage,  and  may  be  early  deciduous;  or,  more  curiously, 
they  grow  irregularly  in  various  places  along  the  tail,  in  some- 
what isolated  fascicles.  These  singular  little  bundles  are  also 
likely  to  exceed  the  rest  in  length,  measuring  sometimes  seven 
or  eight  inches  in  length.  Even  without  taking  these  into 
consideration,  the  bushiness  of  the  tail  is  sometimes  so  great 
that  the  width  when  the  hairs  are  extended  sideways  rather 
exceeds  the  total  length.  The  strictly  terminal  hairs  of  the 
tail  are  ordinarily  not  so  lo;ig  as  soine  of  those  along  the  sides. 
Notwithstanding  the  endless  diversity  in  the  extent  and  de- 
tails of  the  white  marking,  a  certain  pattern  may  be  indicated 
as  one  of  reasonable  constancy.  This  is  essentially  a  sharp, 
narrow,  frontal  stripe,  and  a  broad  nuchal  area,  from  which 
last  proceed  obliquely  backward  a  pair  of  stripes  toward  or  to 
the  tail,  continued  or  not  upon  this  member,  and  whiteness,  to 
a  greater  or  less  extent,  of  nearly  all  the  hairs  of  the  tail  at 
base,  even  when  this  member  is  blackest  and  least  bushy.  I 
have  not  found  the  frontal  stripe  either  wholly  wanting  {Cone- 
pattts)  or  enlarged  into  a  8i>ot  {Spilogale);  but  it  varies  from  a 
mere  trace  to  a  long  streak  continuous  with  the  nuchal  area, 
and,  doubt'ess,  sometimes  fails  altogether.  This  last  is  usually 
a  large  spot,  beginning  squarely  and  broadly  on  the  occiput  in 
a  line  between  the  ears.  From  the  back  of  it,  the  two  oblique 
stripes  may  immediately  diverge,  forming  a  V,  or  it  may  con- 
tinue for  a  considerable  distance  as  a  single  median  stripe  be- 
fore forking  into  two.  The  nuchal  spot  may  be  again  entirely 
disconnected  with  the  dorsal  stripes  (rare),  or  may  be  broken 
up  into  a  pair  of  spots ;  i.  e.,  the  dorsal  stripe  extended  sepa- 
rately on  to  the  nape.  The  dorsal  stripes  may  extend  scarcely 
any  distance  beyond  the  nape;  i.  e.,  may  be  represented  by 
only  a  slight  prolongation  of  a  pair  of  nuchal  spots.  They  may 
start  over  the  shoulders  independently  of  the  white  nuchal 
area.  Ordinarily,  they  reach,  widely  divergent,  more  than  half- 
way along  the  back ;  again,  they  are  more  nearly  parallel,  and 
reach  to  the  tail.  They  may  curve  toward  each  other  over  the 
flanks,  and  even  meet  there,  then  completely  enclosing  an  oval 
vertebral  area ;  or  may  be  interrupted  to  resume  again.  They 
may  extend  along  either  side  of  the  tail,  in  such  cases  ordina- 
rily being  broken  into  the  curious  isolated  fascicles  of  white 


EXTERNAL   CHARACTERS   OF   MEPHITIS   MEPHITICA.      199 

bairs  already  described,  but  beiug  sometimes  continuous,  when 
the  tail  is  mostly  white.  In  the  blackest  tails  seen,  there  is 
always  more  or  less  white  on  the  bases  of  the  hairs. 

Tlie  foregoing  may  indicate  the  genera!  range  of  variation 
in  color.  Reference  to  Audubon's  figures  of  this  species  and 
his  supposed  "wa^nfra"  will  give  a  fair  idea  of  two  conditions 
very  nearly  extreme.  I  have  never  seen  an  entirely  black 
Skunk,  but  in  some  specimens  before  me  the  white  is  reduced 
to  such  mere  traces  that  I  have  no  doubt  it  may  occasionally 
disappear,  as  i«  stated  by  some.  One  young  specimen  has  the 
entire  upper  half  of  the  body  pure  white,  as  in  the  strongest 
cases  of  Gonepatiis,  except  a  slight  emargination  from  behind, 
just  at  the  root  of  the  tail.  Fully  aware,  as  I  am,  of  the  end- 
less variability,  even  in  individuals  belonging  to  the  same 
litter,  I  am  satisfied  that  there  is  nevertheless  .^  tendency, 
generally  well  expressed,  to  increase  of  white,  in  a  measure 
according  to  certain  geographical  areas.  An  average  in  this 
respect  is  the  rule  in  the  Eastern  and  Middle  States,  where  we 
have  a  fair  frontal  stripe  and  nuchal  area  sending  out  obliquely 
stripes  which  do  not  reach  the  tail,  this  being  black,  only  white 
Jit  the  end  or  among  the  roots  of  the  hairs.  In  Florida  and  the 
South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States  generally,  the  white  is  at  a 
niinimum,frontalstripea  mere  trace,nuchal  spot  small  or  broken 
in  two,  and  the  stripes  almost  wanting.  Throughout  the  West, 
and  in  British  America  even  as  far  east  as  Hudson's  Bay,  pro- 
longation of  the  lateral  stripes  to  the  tail,  or  on  this  member  to  its 
end,  is  the  rule;  and  the  stripes  do  not  usually  at  once  diverge 
from  the  nuchal  spot,  but  more  gradually  separate  from  a  single 
vertebral  stripe,  into  which  tlie  nuchal  spot  is  prolonged.  As- 
sociated with  such  a  condition  of  the  white,  we  find,  almost 
invariably,  in  the  western  forms,  a  much  bushier  tail,  its  width 
across  equalling  or  even  exceeding  its  total  length.  Such  cases 
as  these,  in  their  minor  diversities,  have  furnished  the  meso- 
melaa  of  Lichtensteiu,  varians  of  Gray,  occulentalia  of  Baird, 
and  ^^maeroura^^  of  Audubon.  The  figure  ot  the  last  named 
represents  an  extreme  of  white,  with  length  and  bushiness  of 
tail,  and  might  readily  be  mistaken,  as  it  was,  for  the  altogether 
different  M.  maorura  of  Lichtensteiu. 

Independently  of  the  size  of  the  tail,  we  may  observe  a  gen- 
eral decrease  in  stature  with  latitude.  Floridau  specimens  are 
notably  smaller  than  those  from  New  England,  some,  appar- 
ently full-grown,  being  little  larger  than  Spilogale  at  its  maxi- 
mum, about  thirteen  or  fourteen  inches  long. 


iLi 


1    •  .•■.-.? 


200 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


Descrijition  of  the  skull  and  teeth.    {See  PUitea  X,  XI.) 

The  cranium  of  no  tnal  with  which  I  am  acquainted 
varies  more  than  that  the  Skunk,  and  few  exhibit  such  re- 
markable differences,  i.alependently  of  age  and  sex.  Some 
specimens  are  more  than  a  fourth  larger  than  others,  and 
twice  as  heavy;  and  there  is  a  corresponding  range  of  varia- 
tion in  contour.  Compared  with  an  ordinary  ratio  of  osteo- 
logical  variability,  the  discrepancies  are  almost  on  a  par  with 
those  exhibited  by  the  coloration  of  the  animal  when  set  over 
against  the  more  constant  markings  of  most  animals.  In  the 
eries  of  twenty  or  thirty  skulls  examined,  I  find  that  the 
western  ones,  and  especially  those  from  the  Pacific  coast, 
representing  occidentalis  of  Baird,  are,  as  a  rule,  larger  and 
heavier  than  others,  more  widened  and  flattened  behind,  with 
stronger  and  more  flaring  sagittal  and  especially  occipital 
crests.  But  these  extremes  shade  insensibly  into  an  ordinary 
pattern,  and  I.  can  draw  no  dividing  line.  Tables  of  meas- 
urements would  show^  these  variations,  though  they  would 
scarcely  render  that  realizing  sense  of  the  discrepancies  that 
is  gained  by  laying  the  two  extremes  side  by  side.  An  average 
cranium.  No.  381G,  from  New  York,  is  selected  for  doscripiion, 
in  the  course  of  which  the  variations  of  the  whole  senes  w;d 
be  brought  under  review. 

The  greatest  zygomatic  width  is  to  the  length  as  I  to  1.55, 
or  slightly  less  than  two-thirds  such  length.  A  similar  pro- 
portion is  generally  preserved.  Viewed  from  above,  the  cra- 
nium presents  a  short,  tumid,  rostral  portion,  higli  at  the  nose, 
tapering  ou  sither  side,  but  with  a  protuberance  indicating  the 
course  of  the  canine  tooth  in  the  bone,  subtruncate  in  front, 
with  large  subcircular  nasal  aperture,  in  this  view  much  fore- 
shortened. The  rostrum  is  about  a  third  of  the  whole  length, 
if  measured  from  extreme  front  to  anterior  root  of  zygoma ; 
the  zygoma,  and  then  the  rest  of  the  skull,  being  respectively 
another  third.  In  other  skulls,  the  rostrum  is  shorter  than 
this,  and  less  vaulted.  The  general  convexity  of  the  rostrum 
continues  on  to  the  forehead  in  the  broad,  smooth,  interorbital 
space.  Supraorbital  processes  are  very  slight,  being  only  indi- 
cated in  a  little  bulging  at  the  front,  where  the  anterior  forks 
of  the  sagittal  crest  come  to  the  brim  of  the  orbit.  There  is 
thus  scarcely  any  definition  of  the  orbit  from  the  general  tem- 
poral fossa.    The  point  of  greatest  constriction  of  the  skull  is 


SKULL  AND   TEETH   OF   MEPHITIS   MEFHITICA. 


201 


considerably  behind  the  supraorbital  process,  just  about  half- 
way from  end  of  rostrum  to  occiput,  and  opposite  the  apex  of 
the  mandibular  coronoid,  when  the  jaw  is  closed.  It  is  a 
gradual  pinching- together  of  the  sides  of  the  cranium  for  some 
distance,  rather  than  an  abrupt  constriction  at  a  particular 
point.  It  is  sometimes  unsym metrical,  one  side  being  more 
emarginate  than  the  other;  is  sometimes  scarcely  narrower 
than  the  interorbital  space,  sometimes  about  three-fourths  as 
'Tiuch.  Back  of  this  point,  the  skull  widens  rapidly  to  the 
hinder  root  of  the  zygoma  and  mastoid ;  the  latter  being  the 
broadest  point  of  the  skull  proper,  separated  from  the  former 
by  an  emargination,  in  which  lies  the  opening  of  the  meatus 
auditorius,  not  visible  from  above.  From  each  mastoid,  the 
skull  narrows  in  an  approximately  straight  line  backward  and 
upward  for  a  distance,  and  then  ends  with  a  straight-across 
contour,  more  or  less  emarginate  on  the  median  line.  This 
whole  posterior  boundary,  representing  the  lambdoidal  crest, 
is  extremely  variable,  not  only  according  to  age,  but  fortui- 
tously. In  some  skulls — those  with  the  broadest  back  part  and 
most  flaring  occipital  crest — there  is  a  deep  emargination  m 
the  middle  line  of  the  skull,  boldly  salient  angles  on  either 
side  of  this,  and  a  concave  outline  thence  to  the  mastoid. 
This  occipital  flange  hides  all  the  parts  beneath  it.  For  the 
rest,  the  top  of  the  skull  shows  a  sagittal  crest  (only  in  very 
young  skulls  a  raised  tablet),  well  marked  in  all  but  young  ex- 
amples, forking  anteriorly  (at  or  a  little  in  advance  of  the  point 
of  greatest  constriction)  to  send  a  curved  leg  outward  to  either 
supraorbital  process.  Aside  from  this  crest  and  the  occipital 
one,  the  general  cranial  surface  is  vaulted.  The  zygomatic 
arches,  viewed  above,  show  the  point  of  widest  divergence  near 
their  posterior  roots,  whence  they  gradually  and  regularly  con- 
verge forward  with  slight  curve. 

Viewed  in  profile,  the  skull  shows  its  highest  point  at  the 
interorbital  space,  whence  it^^  slopes  gradually  with  a  general 
slight  convexity  to  the  ^juzzle  and  occipital  protuberance. 
This  highest  point  is  generally  a  little,  sometimes  decidedly,  in 
advance  of  the  middle  of  the  skull.  The  frontal  profile  may 
acquire  a  slight  concavity,  and  the  opposite  one  may  be 
slightly  sinuous,  owing  to  irregularity  of  the  sagittal  crest. 
The  muzzle  is  cut  squarely  off,  with  an  obliquity  of  perhaps  30 
degrees  from  the  perpendicular.  The  zygoma  shows  but  a 
slight  upward  arch,  and  no  bevelling  or  special  curve  to  define 


if' 


202 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^E. 


the  portion  of  the  orbit  which  it  represents.  It  is  laminar, 
narrowing  midway,  stoutest  near  posterior  root.  The  ante- 
orbital  foramen*  is  a  short  perforation  of  a,  thin  upper  plate  of 
its  anterior  root;  behind,  the  glenoid  fossa  presents  rather  for- 
ward than  downward.  The  prominent  orifice  of  the  meatus 
presents  laterally  between  the  root  of  the  zygoma  and  the 
mastoid,  which  latter  is  a  protuberant  but  bluut  process  imme- 
diately behind  the  meatus.  Behind  this,  there  is  an  emargi- 
nation,  terminated  by  the  prominent  downward-projecting  par- 
occipital;  back  of  this,  the  semicircular  outline,  foreshortened, 
of  the  occipital  condyle  appears. 

The  back  of  the  skull  is  a  subtriangular  face,  flat  and 
perpendicular  in  general  superficies,  bounded  above  by  the 
overhanging  sagittal  crest;  either  lateral  corner  being  the 
prominent  paroccipital,  between  which  appear  the  faces  of  the 
oblique  condyles,  the  upper  border  of  the  foramen  being  trans- 
verse with  a  slight  curve. 

The  skull  from  below  shows  a  broad,  flat,  palatal  surface  for 
about  two-fifths  of  its  total  length.  The  palate  ends  about 
opposite,  or  a  little  back  of,  the  posterior  molars.  This  terminal 
shelf,  representing  the  emargination  between  the  pterygoids,  is 
always  broad  and  quite  transverse ;  but  the  edge  varies  greatly 
in  detail.  It  is  commonly  transverse,  with  a  small  median, 
backwardly-projecting  point,  producing  a  double  emargination. 
It  may  be  simply  a  broad  curve,  or  it  may  present  a  median 
nick.  The  latter  case  is  oftenest  observed  in  specimens  from 
the  West,  and  constituted  a  chief  character  upon  which  M. 
occidentalis  rested ;  but,  with  a  larger  series  than  Prof.  Baird 
examined,  it  is  shown  to  be  wholly  fortuitous.  The  general 
shape  of  the  palate  is  triangular;  including  the  teeth,  its  great- 
est width  behind  is  about  as  much  as  its  length;  anteriorly, 
it  presents  broad  but  short  incisive  foramina,  scarcely  reaching 
opposite  the  molars.  The  depth  of  the  pterygoid  emargina- 
tion is  considerably  less  than  the  length  of  the  palate.  The 
pterygoids  are  simply  laminar,  with  strongly  hamulate  ends. 
They  are  usually  parallel,  but  sometimes  converge  a  little  poste- 
riorly, making  the  inclosed  space  club-shaped.  The  general  sur- 
face of  the  base  of  the  skull  behind  is  quite  flat,  owing  to  slight 

*A8  a  carious  but  not  very  iufrequent  anomaly,  this  foramen  is  aome- 
times  divided  into  several  separate  canals,  through  which  branches  of  the 
faciiil  nerve  pass  out  apart  fiom  each  other, 
thins  in  Conepatus. 


I  have  observed  the  same 


1 


SKULL   AND   TEETH    OF  MEPHITIS   MEPHITICA. 


203 


inflatiou  of  the  bullae.  These  are  decidedly  convex  only  at  one 
place,  interiorly,  elsewhere  flat,  and  outwardly  produced  to 
foi'n  a  tubular  meatus.  Traces  of  separation  from  surrounding 
parts  long  persist,  at  least  in  front.  About  the  buUre  are  seen 
the  following  foramina:  one  iu  advance,  just  inside  the  glenoid 
fossa ;  two  at  the  anterior  extremity  of  the  bulla ;  three  along 
its  inner  border;  one  more  exterior,  near  the  mastoid;  one  far 
posterior,  in  the  occipital.  The  basi-sphenoid  suture,  early 
obliterated,  is  straightly  transverse  in  advance  of  the  middle 
of  the  bullae.  The  general  basilar  area  is  flat,  narrowing  for- 
ward, unmarked,  or  with  merely  a  slight  median  ridge.  The 
border  of  the  foramen  magnum  represents  a  deep  emargination 
of  the  posterior  border  of  this  area,  with  the  condylar  protuber- 
ance on  either  side. 

All  the  bones  of  the  skull  finally  coossify,  excepting,  of  course, 
the  mandible,  and  most  are  joined  at  a  comparatively  early  age. 
The  periotic  and  internasal  sutures  persist  the  longest;  the 
latter  after  the  nasals  are  consolidated  with  the  maxillaries,  and 
the  former  after  the  basi-spheno-occipital  suture  is  obliterated. 
When  found  separate,  the  nasals  are  seen  to  be  regularly  con- 
cave along  their  exterior  border,  truncate  anteriorly,  with  a 
produced  anterolateral  corner,  and  received  by  a  pointed  pro- 
cess in  a  recess  of  the  frontal.  The  intermaxillary  bone  forms 
less  thai)  half  of  the  general  naso-maxillary  suture.  The  max- 
illary ei  cCnds  within  a  short  distance  of  the  supraorbital  pro- 
tuberance. The  malar  is  rather  small,  and  fuses  early  with  the 
rest  of  the  zygomatic  arch.  The  occipital  bone  is  rather  late  to 
coossify;  the  supraoccipital  is  then  seen  to  represent  most  of 
the  lambdoidal  crest,  reaching,  on  either  hand,  from  the  median 
line  half-way  to  the  mastoid  process ;  thence  crossing  this  crest 
to  the  paroccipital,  whence  the  suture  runs  on  the  floor  of  the 
skull  along  the  border  of  the  periotic  by  the  foramen  lacerum 
posterius  to  the  basi-sphenoid ;  thence  straight  across  the  me- 
dian line. 

The  lower  jaw  in  MepMtince  is  never  locked,  as  far  as  known, 
in  the  glenoid  by  the  clasping  of  the  condyle  in  the  embrace  of 
the  fossa,  as  is  the  rule,  in  adult  life,  in  Melea  and  in  Taoei- 
dea,  and  as  sometimes  occurs  in  the  Otters  {Lutrin(B).  The 
ramus  of  the  mandible  is  stout  and  nearly  straight  along  the 
tooth-bearing  portion ;  the  symphysis  is  thick,  short,  abruptly 
ascending  obliquely  forward.  Between  the  ramus  proper  and 
the  angle  of  the  jaw,  the  lower  border  is  decidedly  emarginatet 


;!     '«;; 


204 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


and  the  angle  itself  is  scarcely  or  not  at  all  exflected  (cf.  Cone- 
patus).  The  angle  itself  is  obtuse,  and  there  is  a  decided  neck 
in  the  oatline  thence  to  the  condyle.  The  condyle  is  horizontal, 
transverse,  very  narrow,  and  acute  internally;  on  the  onter 
half,  its  articular  surface  looks  upward ;  on  the  inner  half, 
backward.  The  coronoid  process  rises  straight  and  high,  nearly 
uniformly  tapering  to  the  apex,  a  perpendicular  from  which 
falls  decidedly  in  advance  of  the  condyle  (cf.  Conepattis).  The 
general  muscular  impression  on  its  outer  face  is  well  marked. 
It  is  pointed  below,  and  reaches  forward  on  the  ramus  to  a  point 
underneath  the  last  lower  molar  (cf.  Conepatus).. 

As  remarked  under  the  head  of  Gonejyatus,  the  dental  formula 
of  the  genera  of  Mephitince  does  not,  in  point  of  fact,  differ. 
The  difference  is  nil  as  betweeii  Mephitis  and  Spilogale,  while  in 
Conepatus  a  supposed  lesser  number  of  teeth  is  only  true  in  the 
very  small  size  of  the  abortive,  deciduous,  or,  at  any  rate,  not 
functionally  developed  anterior  upper  premolar.  In  Mephitis, 
also,  the  tooth  may  be  very  small,  or  even  abortive,  on  one  or 
both  sides  of  the  jaw :  it  is,  however,  normally  present  and 
readily  recognizable. 

Selecting  an  average  skull,  of  middle  age,  with  fully  devel- 
oped, yet  little-worn,  dentition  (for  in  very  old  skulls  the  teeth 
are  so  ground  down  as  not  to  furnish  fair  characters),  we  ob- 
serve the  following  points : — 

The  back  upper  molar  is  the  largest  of  the  grinders,  about  as 
long  as  broad,  quadrate,  with  rounded  inner  corners,  and  en- 
tirely tuberculous.  It  is  completely  divided  across  lengthwise 
by  a  sulcus,  on  the  outer  side  of  which  is  a  narrow  portion,  much 
higher  than  the  broad  inner  portion,  and  separated  from  it  not 
only  by  the  groove  across  the  face  of  the  tooth,  but  by  a  nick 
in  the  hinder  border.  This  elevated  outer  moiety  is  oblique  on 
its  face  from  the  general  level  of  the  dentition ;  it  runs  to  a 
point  at  its  fore  and  hind  ends,  and  has  a  central,  slightly  exca- 
vated field,  with  irregular-raised  boundai:y.  The  flatter  inner 
moiety  of  the  tooth  is  chiefly  occupied  by  a  large  antero-internal 
tubercle,  separated  by  a  curved  sulcus  from  a  posterior  raised 
margin.  The  next  tooth — back  premolar — differs  altogether 
from  the  same  flesh-tooth  in  the  Mustelince.  It  is  relatively 
smaller,  and  has  not  a  prominent  isolated  antero-internal  fang. 
On  the  contrary,  it  is  triangular  in  general  outline,  the  inner 
corner  of  the  triangle  representing  the  fang  of  the  Mustelince 
just  named;  this  is  cuspidate,  but  this  whole  inner  moiety  is 


SKULL   AND   TEETH    OF   MEPHITIS    MEPHITICA. 


205 


low  and  "  tuberculous "  in  comparison  jvith  the  elevated  and 
truly  sectorial  character  of  the  rest  of  the  tooth  ;  for,  viewed  in 
l)roflle  from  the  outside,  the  tooth  seems  wholly  sectorial,  with 
two  cusps,  an  anterior,  produced,  acute  one,  and  a  posterior, 
shorter  and  obtuse,  separated  from  the  other  by  an  acute  re- 
entrance.  Taken  together,  these  two  external  cusps  make  the 
trenchant  edge  of  the  tooth.  The  next  premolar  is  immediately 
and  very  markedly  reduced  in  size ;  it  is  a  small,  simple,  two- 
rooted,  conical,  acute  cusp;  with  a  slight  posterior  **heeP  and 
well-marked  cinguhira  on  the  inner  side.  The  next — anterior — 
premolar  is  exactly  like  the  foregoing,,  but  very  much  smaller 
still,  and  single-rooted ;  it  sometimes  aborts.  In  very  old  skulls, 
the  foregoing  descriptions  can  hardly  be  verified.  The  back 
molar  wears  down  to  a  perfectly  smooth  face,  with  raised  inner 
and  outer  borders;  the  flesh-tooth  loses  its  edge  and  inner  cusp, 
and  becomes  almost  tuberculous  throughout;  the  other  pre- 
molars become  mere  stumps.  The  canines  ofifer  no  points  for 
remark.  Of  the  upper  incisors,  the  lateral  pair  is  much  larger 
than  the  rest,  though  not  longer.  I  fail  to  appreciate  any  tan- 
gible difference  in  this  respect  between  Conepatus  and  Mephitis. 
The  tips  of  the  teeth  all  fall  in  the  same  line;  they  are  even  and 
regular;  the  ends  are  obscurely  lobate.  These  teeth  start  from 
the  sockets  quite  obliquely,  but  soon  turn  perpendicularly  down- 
ward, with  an  appreciable  elbow. 

In  the  lower  jaw,  the  back  molar,  as  usual,  is  small,  simple, 
circular,  single-rooted,  with  a  central  depression  and  irregu- 
larly raised  margin.  The  next  molar  is  much  the  largest  of  the 
series,  and  very  notably  different  from  the  same  tooth  in  Miis- 
telince.  It  is  fairly  sectorial  throughout;  for  the  back  portion, 
though  lower  than  the  rest,  is  decidedly  of  the  same  character 
as  the  other  part.  This  tooth  consists  of  five  cusps :  a  posterior 
pair,  side  by  side,  inner  and  outer,  of  equal  size  and  similar 
shape;  a  middle  pair,  side  by  side,  the  outer  of  which  is  larger 
and  sharper  than  the  inner ;  and  a  single  anterior  cusp.  The 
latter  forms,  with  the  exterior  middle  cusp,  the  main  trenchant 
edge  of  the  tooth.  The  interior  middle  cusp  is  a  higher  devel- 
opment of  the  "heel",  more  or  less  prominent  on  the  inner  face 
of  the  main  cusp  of  the  Musteline  tooth.  The  posterior  pair  of 
cusps  is  the  low  tuberculous  part  of  the  tooth  in  MmtelincB. 
The  first  premolar  from  behind  is  a  simple  conical  cusp,  two- 
rooted,  with  evident  heels,  both  before  and  behind,  and  a  well- 
marked  cingulum.    The  next  tooth  is  similar,  but  smaller,  with 


■  -f : 


206 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


less  of  a  girdle,  and  scarcely  an  anterior  heel.  The  anterior  pre- 
molar is  like  the  last,  but  smaller  still,  and  single-rooted.  I 
have  not  seen  its  abortion.  In  very  old  skulls,  the  two  molars 
become  ground  almost  perfectly  flat,  and  the  premolars  become 
stubby  cones.  The  lower  canines  are  shorter,  relatively  stouter, 
and  more  curved  than  the  upper  ones ;  there  is  usually  quite 
an  elbow  at  the  point  of  greatest  curve.  The  inferior  incisors 
are  more  nearly  of  a  size  than  is  usual  in  Mu8telina\  and  more 
regular,  i.  «.,  none  are  crowded  out  of  the  general  plane ;  but 
this  is  a  matter  of  degree  only.  The  outer  pair  is  larger  than 
the  rest ;  viewed  from  the  front,  they  widen  from  base  to  tip, 
and  the  apex  is  emarginate.  The  next  pair  sets  a  little  back 
from  the  general  plane ;  for,  though  their  faces  are  generally 
quite  flush  with  the  others,  yet  their  greater  thickness  causes 
them  to  protrude  behind.  All  the  under  incisors  are  approxi- 
mately of  one  length.  The  cutting  edge  of  the  outer  pair  is 
oblique;  of  the  others,  horizontal.  The  cutting  edge  of  the 
outer  pair  is  nicked,  as  already  said,  and  the  front  faces  of  the 
rest  are  marked  by  a  sulcus  ending  in  a  slight  bilobation  of  their 
cutting  edges. 

Variation  in  the  skull  with  siiecial  reference  to  geographical  distri- 
bution. 


Having  already  called  attention  to  this  matter  in  a  general 
way,  I  cannot  do  better  than  continue  the  subject  with  Mr.  J. 
A.  Allen's  tables  of  measurements  and  critical  comment,  which 
set  forth  the  subject  in  more  precise  detail:* — 

"  The  twenty-nine  skulls  of  this  species  of  which  measure- 
ments are  given  below  show  a  wide  range  of  variation  in  size, 
and  a  decided  decrease  southward.  The  localities  embrace  such 
distant  points  as  California  and  the  Atlantic  seaboard  on  the 
one  hand,  and  Maine  and  Texas  on  the  other ;  but,  with  one  or 
two  exceptions,  the  specimens  from  any  single  locality  are  un- 
satisfactorily few.  The  specimens  range  in  length  from  2.60  to 
3.50,  and  in  width  from  1.60  to  2.25 !  Yet  there  is  not  a  speci- 
men included  in  the  series  that  is  not  so  old  as  to  have  all  the 
cranial  sutures  obliterated.  A  portion  of  the  difference  is  doubt- 
less sexual,  but  the  specimens,  unfortunately,  have  not  the  sex 
indicated.  Ten  of  the  specimens  may  be  considered  as  western, 
coming  mainly  from  Utah  and  California ;  ten  others  are  from 

•  Ball.  U.  S.  Geol.  and  Gteog.  Sarv.  Terr.  vol.  ii.  no.  4, 1876,  pp.  332-334. 


CRANIAL   VARIATION   IN   MEPHITIS   MEPHITICA. 


207 


Maine  mid  Massachusetts,  and  one  from  Northeastern  New 
York ;  three  are  from  Pennsylvania ;  and  of  the  remaining  five, 
four  are  from  Texas,  and  one  from  Louisiana.  The  western 
series  of  ten  average  3.10  in  length  and  1.95  in  width,  ranging 
in  length  from  2.85  to  3.50  and  in  width  from  1.70  to  2.25.  The 
New  England  series  of  ten  average  2.88  in  length  and  1.72  in 
width,  ranging  in  length  from  2.70  to  3.25  and  in  width  from 
1.53  to  1.85.  The  single  New  York  specimen  scarcely  varies 
from  the  average  of  the  New  England  series,  while  the  Penn- 
sylvania specimens  fall  a  little  below.  The  five  southern  speci- 
mens average  2.73  in  length,  or  a  little  below  the  New  England 
series,  ranging  in  length  from  2.G0  to  2.90.* 

"  It  thus  appears  that  the  western  specimens  are  decidedly 
the  largest  of  all,  and  that  the  northern  are  somewhat  larger 
than  the  southern,  the  specimens  compared  being  of  correspond- 
ing ages,  though  of  unknown  sex,  but  doubtless  comparable  in 
this  respect  also. 

*'The  difference  in  size  amounts  to  above  one-fourth  the  size 
of  the  largest  specimen  and  above  one- third  the  size  of  the 
smallest.  Between  the  western  and  southern  series,  the  aver- 
age difference  amounts  to  one-third  of  the  average  size  of  the 
larger  series!  The  western  series  includes  the  so-called  Me- 
pliitia  occidentalis  of  Baird,  based  on  California  specimens,  and 
whose  chief  difference  is  merely  that  of  larger  size ;  yet  the 
four  specimens  from  Ogden,  Utah  (GoU.Mus.  Oomp.  Zool.),  con- 
siderably excelled  in  size  the  three  from  California.  The  south- 
ern series  represents  the  so-called  M.  variana  of  Gray  and  Baird. 

"The  unsatisfactory  character  of  the  several  species  of  North 
American  Skunks  of  the  mephitica  group,  and  the  wide  range 
of  color-variation  among  individuals  from  the  same  locality,  I 
have  previously  had  occasion  to  notice,  t  and  a  re-examination 
of  the  subject  confirms  the  conclusions  then  announced,  which, 
I  am  happy  to  find,  have  recently  received  the  support  of  Dr. 
Coues,  who  has  lately  made  a  study  of  this  group.j;  As  Dr. 
Coues  has  remarked,  and  as  the  subjoined  measurements  show, 
few  species  of  animals  vary  so  much  in  size  and  in  cranial  char- 
acters as  the  present,  independently  even  of  sex  and  age.  iSome 

*  "  The  range  in  vridth  ia  not  fairly  indicated,  owing  to  two  of  the  smaller 

specimena  being  imperfect." 
t "  See  Bull.  Mua.  Comp.  Zotil.  vol.  i.  pp.  178-181,  Oct.  1869." 
t "  Bull.  U.  S.  Greol.  and  Geog.  Sarv.  of  the  Territories,  vol.  i.  no.  1,  pp.  7-15, 

1875." 


iuti' 


'•    ,11 


f'" 


208 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID.T!. 


Pi 


lili 


specimens  are  not  only  more  than  one-fourth  larger  than  others, 
but  Hhere  is  a  corresponding  range  of  variation  in  contour. 
Compared  with  an  ordinary  ratio  of  osteological  variability,' 
says  Dr.  Coues,  *the  discrepancies  are  almost  on  a  par  with 
those  exhibited  by  the  coloration  of  the  animal  when  set  over 
against  the  more  constant  markings  of  most  animals.' 

"  Meaaitremenfa  of  twenty-nine  skulls  o/Mki'IIITIS  MEriiiTiCA. 


II 

55 

Locality. 

1 

3.30 
3.08 
3.93 
3.85 
3.13 
3.50 

a  10 

3.98 
3,15 
3.96 
3.35 
3.00 
2.87 
2.85 
3.00 
3.70 
3.87 
3.70 
3.75 
3.73 
3.88 
3.90 
2.87 
3.60 
3.80 
2.60 
2.68 
3.90 
2.68 

1 

3.07 
3.04 
1.70 

i.'87' 
3.35 
1.90 
1.85 
3.  0,5 
1.78 

i.'ss' 

1.75 
1.73 
1.75 
1.70 
1.78 
1.53 

i."76' 

1.78 

i.'es' 

1.78 

i.'eo' 

1.90 

Remarks. 

3617 

Petalama,  Ual 

3371 

do 

3434 

Port  Townsend,  Oreg 

4105 

Fort  Crook,  Cal 

417 

Ogden,  Ut.il 

419 

Very  old. 

416 

do 

418 

do 

10008 

Wyominit  Territory 

. 

3327 

Fort  Laramie 

575 

Upton,  Me 

Very  old. 

580 

do 

577 

do 

574 

do 

583 

Norway,  Mo 

578 

do 

569 

do 

567 

MnflBAohn  <etta 

568 

do 

576 

do 

3816 

Bsiiex  Ootintv.  New  York   

3233 

fione-oavea.  PeniiAvlvAniA  ........ 

Fossil  i  M.  frnntata  Coues. 
Imperfect. 

610 

Carliale.Pa 

4e33 

Chefiter  Conntv.  PeiiiiBvlT'Aiiift 

1630 

Indiunolft.  Tex 

1004 

Eagle  Pass,  Tex 

Imperfect. 

1113 

do 

1395 

Mfttamoran.  Tex 

1878 

Calouieu,  La  

Imperfect." 

Anatomy  and  physiology  of  the  anal  glands  and  properties  of 

the  secretion. 

The  almost  insuperable  repugnance  which  the  Skunk  natur- 
ally excites  has  always  been  an  obstacle  to  the  investigation  of 
its  peculiar  defensive  organs.  Until  quite  recently,  when  M. 
Ghatin  minutely  examined  the  anal  glands  of  Conepatus  mapu- 
rito,  no  adequate  account  of  any  species  had  been  rendered, 
though  these  parts  in  M.  mephitioa  had  long  since  been  briefly 
noticed.  The  first,  and  for  a  long  time  the  only  accurate,  record, 
was  that  given  by  Dr.  Jefltries  Wyman  in  the  first  volume  of  the 
Boston  Natural  History  Society's  Proceedings  (1844,  p.  110). 
This  indicated,  though  briefly,  the  general  structure  of  the 
parts  which  obtains  throughout  the  family,  as  far  as  known. 


THE  ANAL  GLANDS  OF  THE  SKUNK. 


209 


The  organ  is  a  true  aaal  glaad,  without  cauuectiou  with  tUo 
geuito-uriuary  system,  nor  yet  of  a  special  character ;  being 
upon  the  same  plan  as  other  anal  glanO  \  throughout  Muntelida; 
though  more  muscular,  with  more  capacious  reservoir,  and 
more  abundant  secretion.  It  consists  of  a  strong  central  cap- 
sule, enveloped  in  muscular  tissue,  and  by  the  same  connected 
with  a  bone  of  the  region,  the  reservoir  of  a  tluid  secreted  by 
several  small  glandular  bodies  by  which  it  is  surrounded,  and 
which  is  voided  by  voluutary]muscular  effort  through  an  ori- 
fice on  top  of  a  nipple-like  eminence,  situated  on  each  side  of 
the  anus,  just  within  its  verge,  partially  concealed  when  not 
in  use  by  a  fold  of  integument.  The  organ  is  paired  with  a 
fellow  on  the  opposite  side.  Dr.  Wyman's  original  remarks 
may  be  here  transcribed : — "  The  anal  pouches ",  he  writes, 
"consist  of  two  glandular  sacs  of  an  oval  shape,  about  three- 
quarters  of  an  inch  in  diameter,  covered  with  a  muscular  en- 
velope, and  opening  into  the  rectum,  quite  near  to  the  anus, 
by  two  papillic.  These  last,  when  not  protruded,  are  sur- 
rounded by  a  fold  of  mucous  membrane,  and  very  nearly  con- 
cealed by  it.  The  fluid  is  ejected  by  the  contractions  of  the 
muscular  covering.  A  small  band  passes  from  each  sac  to  the 
ischium,  which  rotates  these  bodies  on  themselves,  and  serves 
to  bring  their  orifices  to  the  anus.  The  fluid  is  a  peculiar 
secretion  like  that  of  the  Civet,  and  not  the  urine,  as  is  com- 
monly thought.  The  common  opinion,  that  the  animal  scatters 
it  with  its  tail  is  erroneous.  The  fluid  is  limited  in  quantity  ; 
and,  having  been  discharged,  the  animal  is  harmless  until  the 
sacs  are  again  filled  by  gradual  secretion." 

This  account  was  shortly  supplemented  in  the  same  publica- 
tion (vol.  iii.  p.  175)  by  a  notice  from  Dr.  J.  M.  Warren,  which 
adds  further  particulars,  though  not  strictly  of  an  anatomical 
character.  The  passages  are  transcribed  as  part  of  the  history 
of  the  species  :*— 

"Dr.  J.  M.  Warren  exhibited,  preserved  in  alcohol,  the 
glands  which  secrete  the  acrid  fluid  which  furnishes  a  means 
of  defence  to  the  American  Skunk,  Mephitis  Americana. 
These  glands  are  situated  on  either  side  of  the  intestine,  at 
the  root  of  the  tail,  just  within  the  anus,  and  are  about  an 
inch  in  diameter.  When  the  animal  is  pursued,  the  lower  part 
of  the  intestine  is  prolapsed  through  the  anus,  the  tail  is  ele- 
vated over  the  back,  and  by  the  contraction  of  the  muscles  of 
the  anus  the  acrid  fluid  is  ejected  in  two  streams  to  the  dis- 
tance of  six  or  eight  feet. 
;4m 


1: 


i; 


n 


I- III  <l 


210 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


I 


f 


!■- 


I 


"Dr.  Warren  also  exhibited  to  the  Society  a  living  specimen 
of  Mephitis  Americana,  which  had  been  deprived  of  its  power 
oi'  annoyance  by  a  snrgical  operation.  The  animal  was  first 
made  partially  insensible  by  enclosing  him  in  a  barrel  in  which 
was  placed  some  chloric  ether.  As  he  became  stupefied,  a 
sponge  containing  the  ansesthetic  agent  was  placed  over  the 
nostrils  and  kept  there  until  entire  insensibility  was  produced. 
Dr.  Warren  then  cut  down,  on  the  outside  of  the  intestine, 
upon  the  ducts  Oi'  the  glands  and  divided  them,  suffering  the 
glands  to  remain  in  situ.  The  animal  recovered,  being  en- 
tirely deprived  of  his  means  of  annoyance  by  the  adhesive 
inflammation  following  the  operation." 

Here  the  matter  rested  (so  far  as  I  am  acquainted  with  the 
record)  until  1871,  when  Dr.  J.  S.  Parker  published  an  account 
of  a  dissection  in  the  American  Naturalist,  as  above  quoted. 
Besides  being  not  quite  accurate  in  effect,  though  the  observer 
really  recognized  the  condition  of  the  parts,  the  account  is  too 
diffuse  to  justify  transcription  as  a  whole ;  yet  it  is  particularly 
noteworthy  as  giving  the  first  and  probably  the  only  account 
to  date  of  the  physical  properties  of  the  fluid  itself : — "  .... 
I  dipped  the  point  of  my  scalpel  in  the  yellow  fluid,  put  the 
tenth  or  twentieth  of  a  drop  of  it  on  a  glass,  covered  it  with 
another  strip  of  glass,  and  i»laced  it  under  a  power  of  forty 
diameters  in  my  microscope.  The  appearance  was  peculiar. 
It  looked  like  molten  gold,  or  like  quicksilver  of  the  finest 
golden  color.  Pressure  on  the  strips  of  glass  made  it  flow  like 
globules  of  melted  gold.  By  a  power  of  sixty  diameters  the 
same  color  still  appeared,  bat  seemed  as  if  it  would  by  a  higher 
jiower  resolve  itself  into  globules,  with  some  peculiar  mark 
iugs To  the  eye,  the  peculiar  and  odoriferous  secre- 
tion of  this  animal  is  of  a  pale  bright  or  glistening  yellow,  with 
specks  floating  in  it.  By  the  microscope  it  looks  like  a  clear 
fluid,  as  water  with  masses  of  gold  in  it,  and  the  specks  like 
bubbles  of  air,  covered  with  gold,  or  rather  bags  of  air  in 
golden  sacks.  The  air  I  take  to  be  the  gas  nascent  from  the 
golden  fluid.  Had  I  known  that  my  interest  in  the  dissection 
would  have  rendered  me  so  forgetful  of  the  pungent  surround- 
ings, I  would  have  had  chemical  reagents  to  test  the  substance 
so  easily  obtainable. 

"Another  thing  was  a  matter  of  interest.  If  I  correctly  made 
out  the  capsule  of  fluid,  the  commonly  called  <  glands '  are  the 
muscular  tunic  enveloping  and  capable  of  eomprtssing  the 


THE    SCENT    OF    THE    SKUNK. 


211 


:-V|- 


reservoir,  and  tbeir  sole  use  is  to  eject  the  li<|uid.  The  teat- 
like projections  have  one  large  oritico  for  a  distant  jet  of  the 
substance,  and  also  a  strainer,  with  numerous  holes — like  the 
holes  in  the  cones  in  the  human  kidney — for  a  near  but  diffu- 
sive jetting  of  the  matter  [?].  The  substance  is  secreted  by 
small  glands,  dark  in  color,  and  of  small  calibre,  connected 
with  the  capsule  by  narrow  ducts." 

We  gather  from  these  accounts  that,  as  already  intimated,  the 
secretory  apparatus  of  this  species  is  essentially  the  same  as  that 
of  Conepatus,  described  at  length  by  31.  Chatin.  It  is,  of  course, 
no  longer  necessary  to  refute  the  vulgar  notions  once  prevalent, 
that  the  secretion  was  that  of  the  kidneys,  whisked  about  by 
the  bushy  tail.  There  remains  little  to  be  said  on  this  subject. 
The  fluid  is  aHogether  peculiar  and  indescribable  in  odor,  pun- 
gent, penetrating,  and  persistent  to  a  degree,  perhaps,  without 
parallel,  outside  this  subfamily,  in  the  animal  kingdom,  though 
probably  not  more  subtilely  diffusive  than  some  other  analogous 
emanations.  It  has  been  called  "garlicky",  but  this  is  a  mild 
term.  The  distance  to  which  the  substance,  in  liquid  form,  can 
be  ejected,  is,  in  the  nature  of  the  case,  ditlicult  to  ascertain 
with  precision,  and  doubtless  varies  with  the  vigor  of  the  ani- 
mal and  amount  of  accumulation  in  the  reservoir.  Hut  there 
is  no  doubt  that  the  squirt  reaches  several  (authors  say  from 
four  to  fourteen)  feet,  while  the  aura  is  readily  perceptible  at 
distances  to  be  best  expressed  in  fractions  (»f  the  mile.  The 
appearance  of  the  animal  during  the  act  of  emission  is  unmis- 
takable, as  I  have  observed  on  several  occasions.  The  /-igzag 
course,  with  mincing  steps,  by  which  it  leisurely  recedes  from 
a  pursuer,  is  arrested  for  a  moment,  when  the  hinder  parts  are 
raised  and  the  tail  elevated  over  the  back,  so  that  the  long  hairs, 
heretofore  trailing  in  one  direction,  fall  in  a  tuft  on  all  sides, 
and  the  sense  of  smell  immediately  indicates  what  has  taken 
place.  The  discharge  is  ordinarily  invisible  in  the  daytime, 
but  several  observers  attest  a  certain  phosphorescence,  which 
renders  the  fluid  luminous  by  night.  This  is  doubtless  true, 
though  I  have  not  verified  it  by  actual  observation.  State- 
ments to  the  effect  that  emission  is  impossible  when  the  animal 
is  held  suspended  by  the  tail  are,  in  the  nature  of  the  case, 
not  likely  to  be  often  proven  by  experiment.  Nor  have  I  found 
that  instantaneous  death  is  always  a  sure  i>revent»ve  of 
escape  of  effluvium.  A  Skunk  which  I  shot  with  my  pistol, 
held  within  a  foot  of  its  head,  the  bullet  traversing  the  .vhole 


.i  if 


aafta  '     •  ■  1i 


•,  •  h  i| 


■■•  wi 


212 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


i 


body  from  the  forehead  to  the  groiu,  was  too  otiensive  to  be 
skinned,  though  it  died  without  a  perceptible  struggle,  and 
had  certainly  not  opened  its  reservoir  up  to  the  moment  when 
shot.  Nevertheless,  there  is  abundant  evidence  that  life  may 
be  taken  in  such  manner  that  the  flesh  is  eatable,  with  due  care 
in  the  preparation  of  the  carcase ;  and  the  meat  is  said  to  form 
a  regular  part  of  the  food  of  some  savage  tribes  and  semi- 
civilized  people.  I  have  seen  it  stated  that  emission  does  not 
take  place  when  the  animal  is  captured  in  a  deadfall  in  such 
way  that  the  small  of  the  back  is  broken  by  the  falling  weight. 
The  "staying"  qualities  of  the  ettlnvium  are  certainly  wonder- 
ful ;  some  of  the  accounts  seem  incredible,  yet  they  are  well 
attested.  Audubon  says  that  at  a  place  where  a  Skunk  had 
been  killed  in  autumn,  the  scent  was  still  tolerably  strong  after 
the  snows  had  thawed  away  the  following  spring.  The  same 
author  adds  that  the  odor  is  stronger  by  night  and  in  damp 
weather  than  under  the  opposite  circumstances ;  and,  in  speak- 
ing of  tainted  clothes,  he  continues : — "  Washing  and  t  posure 
to  the  atmosphere  certainly  weaken  the  scent,  buo  the  wearer 
of  clothes  that  have  been  thus  infected,  should  he  accidentally 
stand  near  the  fire  in  a  close  room,  may  chance  to  be  mortified 
by  being  reminded  that  he  is  not  altogether  free  from  the  con- 
sequences of  an  unpleasant  hunting  excursion."  The  persist- 
ence of  the  scent  in  museum  specimens  depends  Utogether 
upon  circumstances.  Some  specimens,  in  which  the  fluid  had 
apparently  not  been  discharged  at  death,  and  in  which  care  had 
been  taken  in  the  preparation,  come  directly  into  our  hands  with 
little  or  no  scent ;  in  others,  those  probably  in  which  the  pelage 
had  become  impregnated,  or  in  which  the  fluid  had  escaped 
upon  surrounding  parts,  retain  their  characteristic  odor  for 
many  years,  whether  immersed  in  alcohol,  or  dried  and  buried  in 
tobacco-leaves,  insect-powder,  and  other  vegetable  aromatics. 
I  have  also  noticed  that  the  scent  may  be  drawn  out  of  seem- 
ingly odorless  specimens,  after  several  years'  keeping,  by  plac- 
ing them  in  the  sun.  But  in  proof  of  the  possibility  of  absolute 
freedom  from  scent  may  be  instanced  the  use,  especially  of  late 
years,  of  Skunk  furs  as  wearing  apparel,  immunity  being  gained 
by  processes  similar  to  those  used  by  furriers  in  purifying  the 
pelts  of  other  Mustelidw,  as  well  as  of  Wolves,  Foxes,  &c.  The 
enduring  and  mortifying  consequences  of  actual  contact  of  the 
fluid  with  the  person  or  the  clothing,  as  well  as  of  its  dissemi- 
nation in  dwellings  and  outhouses,  can  hardly  be  exaggerated. 


i;i; 


THE    SCENT    OF    THE    SKUNK. 


213 


bat  require  no  further  comment,  as  these  matters  have  fur- 
nished standing  aecoauts  since  the  history  of  the  spacies  began. 

It  seems,  however,  that  the  disgusting  qualities  of  the  sub- 
stance have  been  given  undue  prominence,  to  neglect  of  a  much 
more  important  and  serious  matter.  The  danger  to  the  eye- 
sight, should  the  acrid  and  pungent  fluid  actually  fall  upon  the 
eyes,  should  not  be  forgotten.  Dogs  are  not  seldom  perma- 
nently blinded  by  the  discharge,  and  there  are  authentic  cases 
in  which  human  beings  have  lost  their  sight  in  the  same  way. 
Sir  John  liichardson  alludes,  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  Graham, 
to  the  cases  of  "  several "  Indians  who  had  lost  their  eyesight 
in  consequence  of  inflammation  resulting  from  this  cause. 

The  effect  upon  dogs  is  described  by  Audubon  and  Bach- 
man: — "  The  instant'',  they  say,  "adoghas  received  a  discharge 
of  this  kind  on  his  nose  and  eyes  he  appears  half  distracted, 
plunging  his  nose  into  the  earth,  rubbing  the  sides  of  his  face 
on  the  leaves  and  grass,  and  rolling  in  every  direction.  "VVe 
have  known  several  dogs,  from  the  eyes  of  which  the  swelling 
and  inflammation  caused  by  it  did  not  disappear  for  a  week." 

These  authors  also  speak  of  the  nauseating  qualities  of  the 
etfluvium.  "I  have  known  a  dead  Skunk'',  says  Sir  John, 
"thrown  over  the  stockades  of  a  trading  post,  produce  instant 
nausea  in  several  women  in  a  house  with  closeil  doors  upwards 
of  a  hundred  yards  distant."  "  We  recollect  .an  instance,"  write 
Audubou  and  Bachman,  "  when  sickness  of  the  stomach  and 
vomiting  were  occasioned,  in  several  persons  residing  in  Sara- 
toga Comity,  N.  Y.,  in  consequence  of  one  of  this  species  having 
been  killed  under  the  floor  of  their  residence  daring  the  night." 

The  fluid  has  been  put  to  medicinal  use  in  the  treatment  of 
asthma.  One  invalid  is  said  to  have  been  greatly  benefit- 
ed by  the  use  of  a  drop  three  times  a  day  ;  but  he  was  soon 
obliged  to  discontinue  the  use  of  the  remedy,  owing  to  the  in- 
tolerably offensive  character  which  all  his  secretions  acquired. 
The  story  is  told*  of  an  asthmatic  clergyman  who  procured  the 
glands  of  a  Skunk,  which  he  kept  tightly  corkeil  in  a  smelling- 
bottle,  to  be  applied  to  his  nose  when  his  syaiptoms  appeared. 
He  believed  he  had  discovered  a  specific  fur  his  d.stressing 
malady,  and  rejoiced  thereat ;  but  on  one  occasi«^n  he  uncorked 
his  bottle  in  the  pulpit,  and  drove  his  congregation  out  of 
church.  In  both  these  cases,  like  many  others,  it  is  a  question 
of  individual  preference  as  between  the  remedy  and  the  disease. 

"  By  Audubon  and  Bacbuiiui,  (juad.  N.  A.  i.  '6'i'6. 


rJ 


hi 


v\ 


w 


214 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTE-'  ID^E. 


The  supposed  counectiou  betweeu  the  suppreasiou  of  .the  secre- 
tion and  the  possibility  of  inoculating  hydrophobia  is  treated 
beyond  under  head  of  "rabies  mephitica". 

There  is  one  point  connected  with  the  varying  oflFen8i\  ess 
of  the  substance  which  has  received  little  attention.  It  is  cer- 
tain that  if  its  penetration  were  correspondent  with  actual 
quantity  of  the  substance  present,  no  dissection  of  the  parts 
of  a  vigorous  animal  would  be  reasonably  practicable.  But  the 
fluid,  like  other  highly  odoriferous  substances,  is  perceptible  in 
degree  according  to  its  diffusion  in  the  air  by  minute  division 
of  particles.  This  is  well  illustrated  under  the  annoying  and 
too  frequent  circumstance  of  a  Skunk  taking  up  its  abode  be- 
neath dwelling-houses  for  the  winter,  which  season  is  passed 
in  a  state  of  incomplete  hibernation  in  some  latitudes.  At 
irregular  intervals,  the  animal  arouses,  and,  to  judge  from  the 
effluvium,  empties  its  distended  pouches;  but  the  stench, 
when  thus  caused,  soon  ceases,  as  is  not  the  case  when  it  is 
spirted  under  irritation  or  in  self-defence. 

Chloride  of  lime  has  been  recommended  as  the  most  effectual 
disinfectant,  and  there  are  doubtless  other  agents  which,  by 
chemically  decomi)osiug  the  substance,  deprive  it  of  its  often- 
sive  properties.  The  professional  "earth  treatment",  of  late 
extensively  employed  in  hospital  practice,  was  long  anticipated 
in  this  connection,  it  being  a  common  custom  to  bury  clothes 
in  ground  tp  rid  them  of  the  scent.  There  is  also  said  to  be  a 
belief  among  trappers  that  the  odor  may  be  dispelled  by  pack- 
ing the  clothes  for: a  few  days  in  fiesh  hemlock  boughs. 

The  physiological  role  of  this  special  secretion  is  obvious. 
Its  relation  to  the  perpetuation  of  the  species,  though  over- 
shadowed by  its  exaggeration  into  a  powerfully  effective  means 
of  preservation  of  the  individual,  is  evidently  the  same  as  in 
other  species  of  Mustelidw,  each  one  of  which  has  its  own  ema- 
nation to  bring  the  sexes  together,  not  only  by  simply  indicat- 
ing their  whereabouts,  but  by  serving  as  a  positive  attraction. 
In  the  case  of  the  Skunk,  it  would  seem  that  the  strong  scent 
has  actually  tended  to  result  in  a  more  gregarious  mode  of  life 
than  is  usual  in  this  family  of  mammals;  and  it  is  certain,  at 
any  rate,  that  the  occupancy  by  one  animal  of  a  permanent 
winter  abode  serves  to  attract  others  to  the  same  retreat. 
Burrows  are  sometimes  found  to  contain  as  many  as  a  dozen 
individuals,  not  members  of  one  fiimily,  but  various  adult 
animals  drawn  together.    One  other  effect  of  the  possession  of 


1 1 


^m 


DISTRIBUTION   AND    HABITS    OF    THE    SKONK. 


215 


such  unique  powers  is  seen  not  so  much  in  mode  of  life  as  iu 
the  actual  disposition  of  the  creature.  Its  heedless  familiarity, 
its  temerity  in  pushing  into  places  which  other  animals  in- 
stinctively avoid  as  dangerous,  and  its  indisposition  to  seek 
safety  by  hasty  retreat,  are  evident  results  of  its  confidence  in 
the  extraordinary  means  of  defence  with  which  it  is  provided. 
In  speculating  upon  the  development  of  this  anal  armature  to 
a  degree  which  renders  it  subservient  to  purposes  for  which 
the  glands  of  other  Mustelinw,  though  of  similar  character,  are 
manifestly  inadequate,  it  may  not  be  amiss  to  recall  how  de- 
fenceless the  Skunk  would  otherwise  be  iu  comparison  with  its 
allies.  A  tardy  terrestrial  animal  of  no  great  strength  or  spirit, 
lacking  the  sagacity  and  prowess  of  the  Wolverene,  the  scau- 
sorial  ability  of  the  Martens,  the  agility,  su)all  size,  and 
tenuity  of  body  of  the  Weasels,  the  swimming  and  diviug 
i'owers  of  the  Otters,  and  even  much  of  the  eminent  fossorial 
capacity  of  its  nearest  relations,  the  Badgers — lacking  all  these 
qualities,  which  in  their  several  exhibitions  cohduce  to  the 
safety  of  the  respective  species,  it  is  evident  that  additional 
means  of  self-protection  were  required ;  while  the  abundance 
of  the  animal  in  most  parts  of  the  country,  and  its  audacity  iu 
the  face  of  danger,  show  that  its  confidence  in  the  singular 
means  of  defence  it  possesses  is  not  misplaced. 

Geographical  distribution  and  habits  of  the  Skunlc. 

Leaving  now  that  portion  of  the  subject  which  is  properly 
most  prominent  in  the  history  of  the  species  of  this  subfamily, 
we  may  turn  to  other  matters.  Skunks  are  common  in  most 
portions  of  temperate  North  America,  and  very  abundant  in 
some  districts.  I  am  not  aware  that  any  qualification  of  the 
broad  statement  of  their  general  distribution  iu  this  country  is 
required ;  for  the  animalr  seem  to  be  independent  of  those 
matters  of  physical  geography,  such  as  mountain  or  valley, 
woodland  or  prairie,  which  impose  restrictions  upon  the  distri- 
bution of  many  quadrupeds.  Skunks,  moreover,  are  obviously 
less  affected  by  the  settlement  of  a  country  than  the  more 
defenceless,  wary,  and  instinctively  secretive  carnivores,  which 
are  sure  to  be  thinned  out  and  gradually  forced  awaj'  by  the 
progress  of  civilization.  In  some  parts  of  the  West,  indeed,  I 
have  found  Skunks  more  numerous  in  the  vicinity  of  the  sparse 
settlements  than  they  are  in  regions  still  primitive;  they  seem 
to  be  actually  attracted  to  man's  abodes,  like  some  other  quad- 


'i! 


I'li'  ■■;r': 


216 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID.E. 


rupeds  and  not  a  few  birds,  which  are  more  abundant  in 
"clearings"  than  in  ihe  depths  of  the  forest  or  in  the  loneliness 
of  unreclaimed  prairie.  I  was  struck  with  this  circumstance 
during  my  recent  travels  in  Colorado,  where  Skunks  were  a 
never-failing  nuisance  about  the  ranches,  though  I  never  saw 
or  smelled  one,  to  my  present  recollection,  in  the  uninhabited 
mountains  of  that  State.  Their  entire  absence,  however,  is  not 
to  be  predicated  on  this  score,  but  simply  their  relatively  lesser 
numbers;  and  I  have  rarely  found  Skunks  more  numerous  in 
the  West  than  they  were  in  the  entirely  unsettled  stretches  of 
country  in  Montana  northwest  of  Fort  Benton,  and  thence  to 
the  region  of  the  Saskatchewan.  Eichardson  notes  their  fre- 
quency in  this  latter  portion  of  the  country,  and  fixes  the  north- 
ern limit  of  the  species  at  about  56°  or  57°  North  latitude.  In 
the  opposite  direction,  the  habitat  of  the  Skunk  overlaps  that  of 
the  Conepate,  reaching  into  Mexico ;  but  exactly  how  far  remains 
to  be  ascertained.  It  is  i)robably  replaced,  southerly  in  Mexico, 
by  the  closely  .allied  though  apparently  distinct  M.  macrura  of 
Lichtenstein,  treated  on  a  following  page.  A  recent  local  writer 
on  the  quadrupeds  of  one  of  our  States  noted  that  out  of  the 
large  number  of  Skunks  attributed  to  North  America  only  one, 
the  present  species,  was  found  in  his  locality,  humorously  adding 
that  one,  however,  was  generally  considered  sufficient.  Through- 
out British  America,  and  most  of  the  northern  tier  of  States, 
New  England,  the  Middle  States,  and  some  of  the  Southern 
States,  the  present  is  the  only  species  of  the  subfamily  certainly 
known  to  occur ;  in  most  parts  of  the  West,  and  some  of  the 
South,  it  is  associated  with  the  smaller  species,  Spilogale putorius; 
while  the  extreme  Southwest  may  rejoice  in  the  possession  of 
all  three  of  the  United  States  species. 

The  Skunk  yields  a  handsome  fur,  lately  become  fashionable, 
under  the  euphemism  of  "Alaska  sable" — for  our  elegant  dames 
would  surely  not  deck  themselves  in  obscene  Skunk  skins  if 
they  were  not  permitted  to  call  the  rose  by  some  other  name. 
Pelts  to  the  number  of  a  thousand  or  more  have  annually  passed 
through  the  hands  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company ;  and  this 
kind  of  "sable"  is  one  of  the  staples  of  American  furriers, 
many  thousands  being  yearly  exported  to  Europe.  The  black 
furs  are  the  most  valuable,  ranging  in  price,  according  to  qual- 
ity, up  to  $1  apiece  for  prime;  the  " half-stripe"  and  the  white 
bring  much  less.  The  trapping  of  the  animal  seems  to  be  an 
easier  matter  than  the  subsequent  disposition  of  the  prize;  for 


HABITS  OF  THE  SKUNK. 


217 


the  Skunk  is  far  from  cuuniug,  and  no  special  skill  is  required 
for  its  capture.  A  variety  of  traps  are  used  with  success ;  the 
deadfall  is  particularly  recommended,  since,  if  properly  con- 
structed, it  causes  the  death  of  the  animal  without  emission  of 
the  fluid.*    Audubon  and  Bachman's  statement  that  the  fur  "  is 

*  Gibson's  "  Complete  American  Trapper "',  pp.  198,  2d2-3,  286. 

The  following  on  the  subject  of  trapping  Skunks  was  contributed  by  C.  L. 
Whitman,  of  Weston,  Vt.,  to  Forest  and  Stream  of  February  17, 1876: — 

"  I  am  often  asked  by  friends  and  brother  trappers  how  I  manage  to  rid 
my  fox  traps  of  skunks  without  being  defiled  by  their  odor.  For  the  benefit 
of  the  uninitiated  I  will  state  that  if  there  are  any  skunks  living  in  the 
vicinity  where  fox  traps  are  set  they  are  sure  to  be  taken,  and  till  all  are 
thus  disposed  of  there  is  little  chance  of  capturing  foxes.  When  there  is 
reason  to  suppose  the  presence  of  many  skunks,  it  is  best  to  set  the  traps 
early,  in  order  to  get  them  out  of  the  way  at  once ;  setting  in  a  manner  not 
to  take  the  fox — that  is,  less  skillfully.  To  the  fox  trapper  this  animal  is  a 
pest  and  annoyance,  for  where  the  trap  is  made  fast — as  in  dirt  trapping  is 
desirable — he  will  in  a  brief  time  with  teeth  and  claws  greatly  impair,  if 
not  wholly  ruin  a  good  setting-place.  Sometimes  he  frees  himself  by  self- 
amputation  ;  in  such  case  it  is  good  riddance.  They  seldom  get  in  a  second 
time,  as  in  their  weak  and  mutilated  condition  they  fall  an  easy  prey  to  the 
fox,  who  is  fond  of  their  flesh  ;  so  much  so  that  he  will  sometimes  gnaw  off 
the  leg  by  which  the  skunk  is  held  in  the  trap,  and  carry  off  his  booty  to  be 
eaten  at  his  leisure.  Trappers  cognizant  of  the  above  trait  do  not  fail  to 
use  skunk's  flesh  for  bait.  Sometimes  he  is  found  asleep  after  a  night  of 
ceaseless  toil  to  get  free,  when,  if  in  good  position,  he  may  be  carefully  ap- 
proached from  the  leeward,  and  by  stepping  upon  his  tail,  at  the  same  time 
dealing  a  smart  blow  upon  the  head  with  a  club,  he  is  easily  and  safely  dis- 
patched. But  this  seldom  occurs,  and  the  attempt  to  dispatch  him  when  on 
the  alert  with  clubs  or  stones,  is  to  risk  and  often  receive  defilement.  Fire- 
arms are  out  of  the  question,  as  a  good  trapper  is  chary  of  their  use  on  his 
rangfe. 

"  My  favorite  method  of  dealing  with  them  is  as  follows :  With  a  tough 
annealed  No.  15  or  16  iron  wire  I  form  a  slip  noose  about  five  inches  in  diam- 
eter on  one  end,  aud  a  standing  loop  of  two  inches  on  the  other,  and  a  space 
of  five  inches  between.  The  loop  is  attached  to  the  smaller  end  of  a  light, 
stiflf  pole  of  eight  or  ten  feet  in  length.  With  this  firmly  grasped  in  both 
hands  I  slowly  and  carefully  approach,  and  slip  the  noose  over  his  head,  and 
with  a  quick  jerk  backwards  and  upwards  lift  him  as  high  as  the  chain  of 
the  trap  will  allow,  and  thus  hold  him  until  he  is  strangled.  The  butt  end 
of  the  pole  may  be  brought  to  the  ground  and  there  held  by  a  foot,  the  hands 
moved  further  in  advance  for  greater  ease.  When  taken  by  a  hind  leg  I  at 
once  lower  the  trap  to  the  ground  and  release  the  same  with  one  foot  pressed 
upon  the  spring ;  the  pole  may  then  be  set  in  a  secure  position  against  a  rock 
or  other  support  while  the  trap  is  being  reset.  If  the  jerk  upward  has  not 
been  adroitly  made,  the  wire  may  not  draw  as  tight  as  it  ought,  in  which 
case  a  discbarge  of  the  pungent  odor  will  usually  follow ;  but  in  this  per- 
pendicular position  the  discharge  descends  directly  downwards,  so  that  if  the 
attack  has  been  made  from  the  windward,  as  it  ought,  there  is  no  danger. 


IT? 


1         ; 


I      .     < 


nillgiij 


if  ,h't 


218 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID.E. 


seldom  used  by  the  hatters,  aud  never  we  think  by  the  furriers ; 
and  from  the  disagreeable  tas  '  .repariug  the  skin,  it  is  not 
considered  an  article  of  cor  j"  was  wide  of  the  mark, 

unless  it  was  penned  befc  ..iska  sable"  became  fashion- 

able. 

Like  other  animals  ot  present  family — like  most  carni- 
vores, in  fact — the  Skunk  is  somewhat  nocturnal  in  habits, 
chiefly  prowling  for  food  in  the  dark,  though  often  abroad  in 
the  daytime.  In  northern  portions  of  its  range,  it  hibernates 
to  some  extent,  but  its  torpidity  is  very  incomplete  ;  it  appears, 
moreover,  to  be  under  some  necessity  of  arousing  itself,  perhaps 
for  the  periodical  evacuation  of  its  reservoirs.  In  the  South,  it 
ranges  freely  at  all  seasons.  In  instances  in  which  the  animal 
has  taken  up  its  abode  for  the  winter  about  dwelling-houses,  its 
temporary  activity,  during  warm  spells  of  weather,  is  not  likely 
to  be  overlooked.  This  propensity  to  seek  retreats  in  human 
habitations  is  strikingly  at  variance  with  the  disposition  of  other 
Musteline  quadrupeds,  which  instinctively  shun  man's  abodes, 
except  when,  in  foraging  for  food,  the  poultry-yard  tempts  their 
appetite  and  their  courage.  In  travelling  in  some  portions  of 
the  West,  it  flid  seem  as  if  I  never  could  approach  a  ranch 
without  being  aware  of  the  visit,  past  or  present,  of  some 
prying  Skunk ;  and  the  outhouses  I  entered  were  almost  invari- 
ably scented.  The  Skunk  is  an  occasional  robber  of  poultry  and 
eggs,  and  is  said  to  be  fond  of  milk.  Wben  away  from  human 
habitations,  the  retreats  of  the  Skunk  are  underground  burrows, 
the  hollows  of  decayed  logs  and  stumps,  the  crevices  among 
rocks — in  short,  any  natural  shelter  not  away  from  the  ground. 
Audubon  and  Bachmau  describe  the  underground  burrows 
which  the  Skunk  excavates  for  itself  as  less  difficult  to  dig  out 
than  those  of  the  Fox,  generally  running  near  the  surface  of 
flat  ground  for  six  or  eight  feet,  and  ending  in  a  chamber  lined 
with  leaves,  where  may  be  found  during  winter  from  Ave  to 
fifteen  individuals  huddled  together.  Sometimes,  these  authors 
add,  the  burrow  divides  into  two  or  three  galleries.    The  ani- 

"  The  approach  is  sometimes  resented  at  tirst,  but  the  gradual  arcbiug  of  the 
tail  gives  timely  warniag,  aud  a  careful  retreat  is  necessary  for  a  moment. 
The  second  or  third  attempt  is  successful.  The  animal  by  that  time  recovers 
from  the  alarm,  and  at  most  will  merely  sniff  the  air  iu  your  directiou. 
With  this  device  I  have  destroyed  many  hundred  during  the  past  thirty 
years,  and  do  not  recollect  an  instance  where  I  bore  any  of  the  odor  about 
nie,  except  I  had  inadvertently  trod  upon  dirt  that  was  defiled,  and  now  oft'er 
it  for  the  consideration  of  brother  trappers." 


DISTRIBUTION   AND    HABITS   OF   THE   SKUNK.      219 

mala  are  evidently  more  gregarious  than  other  Mnstelida'^  and 
the  numbers  which  congregate  in  one  burrow  are  not  neces- 
sarily members  of  the  same  family.  They  are  very  prolific, 
bringing  forth  in  May,  it  is  said,  to  the  number  of  eight  or  ten  ; 
the  period  of  gestation  is  probably  unknown.  Their  natural 
increase  is  at  so  high  a  rate  that  were  they  not  systematically 
persecuted,  not  only  for  the  value  of  their  furs,  but  on  account 
of  their  peculiar  offensiveuess,  they  would  become  a  serious 
pest.  The  reaction  of  their  principal  means  of  self-preservation, 
in  fact,  becomes  one  of  the  factors  in  the  problem  of  their  undue 
increase,  so  nicely  are  the  balances  of  Nature  adjusted. 

Skunksareattacked  bydogsand  othercaninequadrupeds,  who 
destroy  and  devour  them  in  spite  of  their  scent ;  and  some  of  the 
larger  birds  of  prey,  like  the  Bitbo  vh'ffinianus,  or  Great  Horned 
( )wl,  have  been  observed  to  capture  and  eat  them.  Their  own  food 
is  of  rather  an  humble  nature  in  comparison  with  that  of  other 
Mustelidfi'  of  corresponding  size  and  strength;  for  they  have 
neither  the  speed  nor  the  address  required  to  effect  the  destruc- 
tion of  many  animals  which  the  Martens  and  Weasels,  for 
instance,  prey  upon.  They  feed  largely  upon  insects,  birds' 
eggs,  such  small  reptiles  as  frogs,  and  small  quadrupeds,  such 
as  the  various  species  of  mice.  They  are  also  said  to  capture 
rabbits  in  the  burrows  into  which  these  timorous  beasts  some- 
times take  refuge,  though  they  are  manifestly  incapable  of 
securing  these  swift-footed  animals  in  the  chase.  The  depre- 
dations committed  by  the  Skunk  in  the  poultry-house  have  been 
already  alluded  to.  I  recur  to  the  fact  to  note  the  way  these 
awkward  animals  conduct  themselves  under  such  circum- 
stances, when  their  blundering  pertinacity  and  apparent  neglect 
of  the  most  obvious  precautions  against  detection  contrast 
strongly  with  the  stealth,  cunning,  and  sagacity  of  the  Fox, 
Mink,  or  Stoat  when  engaged  in  similar  freebooting.  Even 
after  discovery,  the  Skunk  seems  to  forget  the  propriety  of 
making  oflf,  and  generally  falls  a  victim  to  his  lack  of  wit. 

I  once  tested  the  speed  of  a  Skunk  in  a  fair  race  over  open 
prairie.  The  wind  was  blowing  "half  a  gale"  at  my  back,  and 
my  courage  was  consequently  unchallenged.  The  animaj 
seemed  to  be  aware  of  its  powerlessness  under  these  circum- 
stances, and,  after  once  or  twice  vainly  discharging  its  battery,  as 
I  saw  by  its  peculiar  motions,  though  the  wind  carried  off  the 
effluvium,  made  oft'  at  its  best  pace.  But  I  had  no  difliculty  in 
keeping  up  with  it  at  an  easy  jogtrot,  scarcely  faster  than  rapid 


!  ■;.. 


14! 


•!i:i 


W  '*! 


M 


4 


i:m 


220 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


walking,  aud,  after  noting  its  gait  and  otiier  actions,  I  'lot  it 
dead.  The  specimen  was  too  oflfensive  to  be  skinned,  however, 
as  some  of  the  fluid  had  been  blown  npon  its  fur.  In  the  conrse 
of  my  varions  campaigns  in  the  West,  I  have  witnessed  not  a 
few  ludicrous  scenes,  aud  have  known  the  startling  cry  of 
"  Skunk  !*'  to  throw  a  camp  into  as  great  commotion,  to  all  out- 
ward appearance,  as  that  other  graver,  yet  not  less  sudden, 
warning  of  Indians.  But  to  recount  stories  of  Skunks  would  be 
to  go  on  indefinitely ;  like  the  pelt  to  the  furrier,  anecdotes  to  the 
historian  are  "  staple",  and  may  be  read  in  all  the  books,  such 
is  the  facetiousuess  which  this  subject  seems  to  inevitably  call 
forth. 

History  of  the  species. 

The  Skunk  has  figured  in  literature  for  more  than  two  cen- 
turies, as  can  be  said  of  comparatively  few  American  animals. 
The  earliest  account  I  have  found,  one  which  Eichardson  also 
said  was  the  first  he  had  met  with,  is  that  given  by  Gabriel 
Sagard-Theodat,  "Mineur  Recollect  de  la  Prouince  de  Paris", 
in  his  History  of  Canada,  1030.  The  quaint  passage  runs  as 
follows : — 

"Les  enfans  dn  diable,  que  les  Hurons  appellent  Scangaresse, 
&  le  eommun  des  Montagnais  Babougi  Mauitou,  ou  Ouinesque, 
est  un  beste  fort  puante,  de  la  grandeur  d'un  chat  ou  d'un  ieuue 
renard,  mais  elle  a  la  teste  un  pen  moins  aigue,  &  la  peau  cou- 
uerte  d'un  gros  poll  rude  &  enfum^,  et  sa  grosse  queue  retrous- 
see  de  mesme,  elle  se  cache  en  Hyuer  sous  la  neige,  &  ne  sort 
point  qu'au  commencement  de  laLunedu  mois  de  Mars,  laquelle 
les  Montagnais  nomment  Ouiniscon  pismi,  qui  signifle  la  Lune 
de  la  Ouinesque.  Get  animal,  outre  qu'il  est  de  fort  man 
uaise  odeur,  est  tres-malicieux  &  d'un  laid  regard,  ils  ietteut 
aussi  (j\  ce  qu'on  dit)  parmy  leure  excremens  de  peiits  serpens, 
longs  &  deliez,  les  quels  ne  viuent  neant  moins  gueres  long 
temps.  I'en  pensois  apporter  une  peau  pass^e,  mais  un  Fran- 
cois passager  me  I'ayant  demandee  ie  la  luy  donnay." 

From  the  way  in  which  this  passage  opens,  we  may  presume 
or  infer  that  "enfan  du  diable"  was  already  a  recognized  name 
among  the  French,  in  spoken  at  least,  if  not  also  written,  lan- 
guage. The  "devil's  own"  beast  is  also  mentioned  by  various 
other  early  writers,  amongst  whom  Gharlevoix  may  be  cit^d. 
It  was  the  "Fiskatta"  of  Kalm  (17  .  .  );  but  the  date  of  the 
introduction  of  the  term  " Skunk"  1  have  not  been  able  to  as- 


HISTORY    OF    MEPHITES    MEPHITICA. 


221 


certain,  nor  do  I  know  its  meaning.  A  likeness  to  the  word 
most  suggestive  of  tlie  animal,  and  which  appears  in  the  Ger- 
man Stinkthier,  is  too  obvious  to  require  comment,  but  the 
resemblance  may  be  fortuitous.  It  may  be  observed  that  the 
Creo  or  Knistenaux  word  is  seccawk,  which  is  quite  likely  the 
origin  of  the  name,  as  the  sound  i*  not  so  very  different,  though 
the  literal  discrepancy  is  great.  The  American-English  name 
"pole-cat"  or  "pol-cat",  by  which  the  Swedish  of  Kalm  is 
rendered,  and  which  has  long  been  an  appellation  of  this  and 
other  species  of  Skunks,  is  simply  a  transferring  of  the  Euro- 
pean-English name  of  the  Fitch,  Putorius  f<xtklus,  the  worst- 
smelling  species  of  its  own  continent,  to  the  Western  animal, 
which  has  the  same  enviable  notoriety.  The  terms  pol-cat  or 
pole-cat  and  skunk  were  both  used  by  Lawson  about  the  be- 
ginning of  the  last  century.  "  Polcats  or  Skunks  in  Amer- 
ica," says  he,  "  are  different  from  those  in  Europe.  They  are 
thicker  and  of  a  great  many  Colours;  not  all  alike,  but  each 
differing  from  another  in  the  particular  Colour.  They  smell 
like  a  Fox  but  ten  times  stronger.  When  a  Dog  encounters 
them,  they  void  upon  him,  and  he  will  not  be  sweet  again  for  a 
fortnight  or  more.  The  Indians  love  to  eat  their  Flesh,  which 
has  no  manner  of  ill  smell,  when  the  Bladder  is  out."  "  Skunk" 
was  formerly  used  adjectively,  as  we  see  in  the  "  Skunk  Wee- 
sel"  of  Pennant,  which  may  be  deemed  exactly  equivalent  to 
the  "Mephitic  weesel"  of  Shaw.  "Chinche"  was  a  term  ap- 
plied by  early  French  zoologists  to  this  and  other  Mephitimv, 
and  in  its  various  forms  of  chinche  or  chincha^  chinge  or  chinga, 
was  long  current.  The  last-named  form,  indeed,  became  with 
many  authors,  after  Tiedemauu,  the  specific  name  of  the  spe- 
cies in  binominal  nomenclature. 

The  early  history  of  the  species  in  technical  nomenclature,  as 
distinguished  from  that  of  the  animal  in  non*scientiffc  accounts, 
is  much  involved.  It  may  be  well  to  state  that  authors  have 
gone  to  opposite  extremes  in  treating  of  Skunks  as  species. 
Some,  like  Cuvier,  "  lumped  "  them  all  together,  whilst  others 
made  every  streak  or  spot  the  basis  of  a  species.  We  do  not 
find  the  present  species  clearly  and  unequivocally  indicated  by 
the  founder  and  earliest  supporters  of  the  binomial  system ;  on 
the  contrary,  the  Linn.-Gmel.  accounts,  though  undoubtedly  cov- 
ering this  even  then  well-known  species,  are  so  infiltrated  with 
reference  to  other  species  as  to  be  not  properly  citable  in  this 
connection.    Linnteus  put  the  Skuiks  in  his  genus  ViverrUj 


,yrm 


-'4 


-I    '^'l  i 


"m 


222 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID.t:. 


f 

8 1 


traiKst'erriug  this  Plinian  uame  of  certain  Musteliue  ani- 
mals to  those  of  the  Civet-cat  group,  and  in  1758  named  a 
species  Virerra  putorlm.  Hi.s  species  at  this  date  was  partly 
based  on  Kalm's  Fi«JiaUa,  and  in  so  far  means  the  i)resent 
animal,  but  the  primary  reference  is  to  Catesby's  Polecat,  and 
the  description  rather  suits  the  Spilofiale.  In  17C0,  Linnteus 
made  confusion  worse  confounded  by  resting  his  Viverm  puto- 
rim  not  only  upon  Catesby  and  Kalm,  as  he  had  done  in  1758, 
but  by  citing  also  Hernandez,  Kay,  Seba,  and  Brisson,  his 
species  being  consequently  a  conglomeration  of  animals  not 
only  specifically  but  generically  distinct  from  each  other,  though 
the  drift  of  his  descriptive  text  is  toward  the  present  species.* 
These  accounts,  and  such  as  hang  upon  them,  are  not  properly 
citable  in  the  present  connection.  About  the  end  of  the  last 
century,  Dr.  G.  Shaw  introduced  a  species,  Viverra  mcphitica, 
which  indicates  the  present  animal  with  sufficient  pertinence 
and  exclusiveness,  and  furnished  a  specific  name,  the  first  tena- 
ble one  I  know  of.  In  consequence,  however,  of  its  literal  re- 
semblance to  the  name  of  the  Cuvierian  genus  Mephitis,  the 
term  slept  until  revived  by  Baird  in  1857,  when,  with  those  to 
whom  the  alteration  is  not  objectionable,  the  binomial  name 
Mephitis  mephitica  became  current. 

Shortly  afterward,  in  1808,  Tiedeniann  introduced  a  species, 
M.  chinga,  adapted  from  the  earlier  chinche  as  a  specific  name. 
This  was  adopted  by  Lichteustein  in  his  special  memoirs,  by 
Aubudon  and  Bachman,  and  by  others.  It  undoubtedly  refers 
to  the  juesent  animal,  though  vitiated  to  some  extent  by  in- 
applicable expressions. 

Desmarest  called  all  the  Skwuks  Mephitis  f  Americana,  hav- 
ing  a  long  array  of  varieties,  from  A  to  R,  his  var.  R  being 
the  one  which  more  particularly  refers  to  the  present  species. 
In  1829,  Fischer  rendered  the  "  chinga"  of  Tiedemann  as  chinche, 
reverting  to  the  more  customary  orthography.  The  same  year 
Richardson  introduced  a  new  term,  hudsonica.  Later,  nominal 
species  multiplied,  not  that  there  were  not  already  names 

*  "Habitat  in  America  septentrionali.  Colore  variat.  Irritatus  (cum  urina 
forIC')  balitum  explodit,  quo  nihil  fcttidiue ;  incessa  tardus,  nee  Homines 
nee  Feras  metuens;  vestes  fcetore  inqninatie  purgantur  sepeliendo  per  diem. 
A.  Knhn."  (p.  65.)  Linnaeus's  next  Hpeciee,  Viverra  zibetha,  the  Civet-cat  of 
the  Old  World,  is  also  tinctured  with  Bkunk,  or  some  other  American  animal 
not  distantly  related.  .    .,    . 

t  Written  "  Mnstela  "  by  an  obvious  slip.  . 


HYDROPHOBIA    FPOM    SKUNK-BITE. 


223 


enoiigb,  but  apparently  in  the  impossibility  of  sifting  and  fixing 
earlier  accounts.  M.  rarians  was  proi)osed  by  Gray  in  1837 
for  the  southwestern  variety,  afterward  called  macroura  by 
Aubudou  and  Bacliman;  and  in  1805  Gray  had  the  assurance 
to  set  his  term  over  all  the  prior  ones  as  the  specific  designa- 
tion, recounting  numerous  varieties  of  the  species.  MephitlH 
mesomelas  of  Lichtenstein  and  M.  occidentaUs  of  Baird  are 
names  of  the  western  strain  of  ordinary  mephitica. 

Other  points  in  the  history  of  Skunks  are  reviewed  under 
heads  of  species  to  follow. 


ADDENDUM  TO  CHAPTElt  VJI. 

ON    nYDROrilOBIA    FROM    SKUNK-BITE,    OR    THE    SO-CALLED 

"RABIES  MEPHITICA". 

The  importance  of  this  subject  induces  me  to  present  such 
facts  as  have  come  to  my  knowledge.  Though  it  has  long 
been  known  that  the  bite  of  the  Skunk  under  certain  condi- 
tions, like  that  of  various  other  animals,  is  capable  of  inoculat- 
ing a  disease  like  hydrophobia,  it  seems  that  only  lately  has 
the  subject  been  thoroughly  investigated  and  adequately  pre- 
sented. This  has  been  done,  notably,  by  two  writers,  whose 
respective  accounts  are  here  transcribed  in  full,  without  fur- 
ther comment. 

The  points  that  the  Eev.  Mr.  Hovey  makes  are  these: — 
That  hydrophobia  from  Skunk-bite  is  a  different  species  of 
the  disease  from  rabies  canina  ;  the  term  rabies  mephitica  being 
proposed  for  it.  That  rabies  mephitica  is  caused  by  a  special 
hydrophobic  virus  generated  by  Skunks.  That  "possibly 
there  may  be  a  causative  connection  between  inactivity  of 
the  anal  glands  and  the  generation  of  malignant  virus  in  the 
glands  of  the  mouth".  That  the  bite  of  Skunks  in  apparently 
normal  state  of  health  (i.  e.,  not  rabid  in  the  usual  sense  of 
the  term)  is  usually  fatal.  That  "  we  might  go  further  and 
seek  a  solution  of  the  whole  dread  mystery  of  hydrophobia 
in  the  theory  that  this  dread  malady  originates  with  the  allied 
genera  of  Mephitis^  Putorim,  and  Mustela^  .  .  .  being  from 
them  transferred  to  the  Felidas  and  Canidte  and  other  families 
of  animals".  He  also  suggests  that  the  mephitic  secretion 
might  be  found  to  be  the  natural  antidote  to  the  salivary 
virus.      .  . 


m 


224 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^E. 


The  article  attracted  considerable  attention,  from  the  nov 
I'lty  of  the  views  put  forth,  and  the  intrinsic  importance  of 
the  subject. 

Some  months  afterward  Dr.  Janewaj'  replied  in  an  elaborate 
article,  detailing  cases  and  criticising  Mr.  Hovey's  views,  com- 
ing to  the  conclusion  "  that  the  malady  produced  by  mephitic 
virus  is  simply  hydrophobia".  Following  are  the  two  articles 
in  question  in  full  . — 


;i. 


iS 


[From  Amor.  Jouru.  Scl.  ami  Ait,  M  sor.  vol.  vii.  no.  II,  art.  xliv.  pp.  477-4*1,  May,  1874.] 

4 

"Bahh-it  Meithitica ;  by  Ilvv.  Homir  C.  Ilorey,  M.  A. 

"My  subject  coHcoriiH  alike  lueiliciil  suieuco  and  natural  history.  For 
wbilo  proviujj  the  existoiiv.o  of  a  uow  disease,  soule  singular  facts  will  ho 
brought  to  light  about  a  I'aiuiliar  meiuber  of  the  Anvsrican  Fauna.  It  i.s 
cruel  to  add  aught  to  the  odium  already  attached  to  the  common  skunk 
(Mephitis  mephitiva  iShaw ;  M,  chinga  Tiedenmnn).  But,  clearly,  he  is  as  dan- 
gerous as  ho  is  disagreeable.  In  a  wild  state  he  is  by  no  means  the  weak, 
timid,  harmless  creature  commonly  described  by  naturalists;  although  it  is 
said  that,  if  disarmed  of  his  wea))ons  of  ortonce  while  young,  ho  may  bo 
safely  domesticated. 

"A  peculiar  poison  is  sometimes  contained  in  the  saliva  of  animals  be- 
longing to  the  cauiuo  and  feline  families,  the  production  of  which,  it  has 
been  generally  suppo.scd,  is  limited  to  them.  Other  animals,  of  the  same  or 
of  diil'erent  species,  may  be  inoculated  with  this  virus;  the  result  being  a 
mysterious  malady,  which  men  have  observed  from  the  days  of  Homer  and 
Aristotle,  but  which  has  never  been  either  cured  or  understood.  This 
frightful  disease  has  been  called,  from  its  origin,  Rabkn  caninn,  and  from 
one  of  its  symptoms,  hydrophobia.  Probably  it  is  not  communicable  by  any 
species  but  those  with  which  it  originates.  A  few  instances  have  been  re- 
corded to  the  contrary ;  but  they  were  so  imperfectly  observed  as  merely  to 
stimulate  ns  to  further  investigation.  It  is  stated  by  the  best  medical 
writers  (e.  g.,  Watson,  Qros.%  and  Aitken),  as  an  undeniable  fact,  that  no 
instance  is  known  of  hydrophobia  having  been  communicated  from  one 
human  being  to  another,  although  many  patients,  in  their  spasms,  have 
bitten  their  attendants.  An  interesting  cose,  but  inconclusive,  being  the 
only  one  of  its  kind,  is  reported  by  M.  Quillery,  in  which  an  aged  man  expe- 
rienced spontaneous  hydrophobia  (Bulletin  of  Belgian  Academy,  No.  S, 
1871).  In  such  exceptional  instances  there  may  have  been  previous  iuooula- 
tion,  unnoticed  or  forgotten ;  for  the  least  particle  of  this  deadly  poison 
will  be  efficient,  and  yet  it  is  always  tardy  in  its  period  of  incubation. 

"The  facts  uow  collated  will  show,  it  is  thoight,  one  of  two  things, 
either  that  the  hydrophobic  virus  is  both  generated  and  communicated  by 
some  of  the  Munfelidw  as  well  as  the  Felidw  and  Canidiv ;  or  else,  that  a  new 
disease  has  been  discovered,  which  generioal'y  resembles  Bahiet  canina,  while 
differing  from  it  speciilcall5^.  My  judgntuut  favors  the  latter  opinion,  de- 
cidedly, for  reasons  to  be  adduced ;  and  accordingly  I  may  name  this  now 
malady,  from  the  animal  iu  whose  saliva  it  is  generated,  Rabie*  Mephitiva, 


IIYnROPHORIA    FROM    SKUNK-BITE. 


225 


"  Tlio  viirioticH  of  MvpliitiH  are  iiotoriouH  for  tlio  Hinjriilttr  buttery  with 
which  tliey  are  provi(hMl  by  iiatiir*>.  It  voiiHiHtH  of  two  anal  k^'^"*!'* 
from  whicli,  by  tlio  coiitiactioii  of  Niib-caiidal  iiuiHch^s,  an  otfoiiHive  lliiid 
can  bo  (li.scharjfoil  in  tlin>a<l-liV'«  Htroanis,  witli  H\u;h  accuracy  of  aim  as  to 
Htriko  any  olijoct  wiiliin  tiftoon  f«!<«t.  TiiiM  8ccretion  is  uithur  colorless, 
or  of  a  pale  yolltiw  hue.  It  is  i»h<M|>horcHccnt.  Viuwod  from  a  safe  distanco, 
its  <li.scliur)i(c  IooIvh  like  a  puff  of  Ntoain  or  white  Niuoko.  Its  (»dor  is  far  more 
]K  rsiHtonttlum  that' of  musk.  If  too  frocly  inlialod  it  causoa  intense  nanson, 
followcil  by  distrussin^  gastric  cramp.  In  minute  doses  it  is  said  to  be  a 
valuable  anti-spasmodic.  If  so,  why  not  experiment  with  it  as  a  euro  for 
hydrophobic  convulsions?  It  is  not  known  what  the  effect  would  be  of 
injecting  this  tinitl  beneath  the  skin.  Interesting  results  might  be  attained 
by  any  one  who  is  willing,  in  behalf  of  science,  to  investigate  further  in 
this  inviting  path!  There  certainly  seems  to  be  some  connection  between 
it  and  the  disease  under  (Mmsideriition;  for,  in  every  instance,  the  rabid 
skunk  has  either  exhausted  his  mcphitic;  battery,  or  else  has  lost  the  projec- 
tile force  by  which  it  is  discharged.  Perhaps  the  secretion  is  only  checked 
by  the  feverish  state  of  the  system.  Possibly  there  nnvy  be  a  causative  oi»u- 
nection  between  this  inactivity  of  the  anal  glands  and  the  generation  of 
nnilignant  virus  in  the  glands  of  the  numth. 

"An  adventure,  while  on  a  summer  tour  amid  the  Rocky  Mountains,  first 
called  my  attention  to  the  novel  class  of  facts  about  to  bo  presented.  Our 
camp  was  invaded  by  a  nocturnal  prowler,  which  proved  to  be  a  large  coal- 
black  skunk.  Anxious  to  secure  his  fine  silky  fur  uninjured,  I  attempte«I 
to  kill  him  with  small  shot, and  failed.  He  made  characteristic  retaliation; 
arid  then,  rushing  at  me  with  fer(»city,  he  sei/.ed  the  muzzle  of  my  gun 
between  his  teeth !  Of  course  the  jtenalty  was  ins;ant  deai.h.  An  experienced 
hunter  then  startled  us  by  saying  that  the  bite  of  this  animal  is  invariably 
fatal,  and  that  when  in  perfect  appurcnt  health  it  is  always  rabid.  He  re- 
sented our  incredulity  and  coiilirmed  his  statement  by  several  instances  of 
dogs  and  men  dying  in  convulsions  shortly  after  being  thus  bitten. 

"On  mentioning  this  adventure  to  H.  li.  Payne,  M.  D.,  who  had  been 
cam|iing  with  miners  near  Cailon  City,  Col.,  he  said  that  at  night  skunks 
would  come  into  their  tent,  making  a  peculiar  crying  noise,  and  threatening 
to  attack  them.  His  companions,  from  Texas  and  elsewhere,  had  aooouuts 
to  give  of  fatal  results  following  the  bite  of  this  animal. 

"  8inco  returning  to  Kansas  City,  I  have  had  extensive  correspondence  with 
hnniiors,  taxidermists,  surgeons  and  othors,  by  which  means  the  particulars 
have  been  obtai  ;ed  of  ftuty-ono  cases  of  ral)ien  mcphitica,  occurring  in  Vir- 
ginia, Michigan,  Illinois,  Kansas,  Missouri,  Colorado  and  Texas.  All  were 
fatal  except  one ;  that  was  the  case  of  a  farmer,  named  Fletcher,  living  near 
(iainsville,  Texas,  who  was  twice  bitten  by  M.  macroum  [of  And.  <&  liiich.=: 
.If.  mcphitica  var. — E.  C],  yet  recovered  and  is  living  still.  On  further  inciairy 
it  was  found  that  he  was  aware  of  his  danger,  and  used  prompt  preventive 
treatment.  Another  case  was  alleged  to  be  an  exception  ;  that  of  a  dog  which 
was  severely  bitten  in  a  long  fight  with  a  skunk,  but  whose  wounds  healed 
readily  and  without  subsequent  diuease.  It  seems,  however,  that  this  dog 
afterward  died  with  niysteriou  i  sya.^ '  '^ms  like  those  of  hydrophobia  in 
some  of  its  less  aggravated  forms.  ^ 

"  Instead  of  burdening  this  article  with  a  ma^-'  of  oiroumstautial  details, 
15  M 


'  :; 


226 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID.E 


-  f ' 


a  few  cases  only  will  be  given  bnst  fitted  to  show  the  poculiarlties  of  the 
malady;  and  Miose  are  preferred  that  are  located  on  the  almost  utiinh.ibitetl 
plains  of  western  Kansas,  because  there  the  mephitic  weasels  would  be 
least  liable  to  be  iuocnlated  with  canine  virus. 

"A  veteran  hunter,  Nathaniel  Douglas,  was  hunting  butfalo,  in  June,  187'i, 
fourteen  miles  north  of  Park's  Fort.  While  asleep  he  was  bitten  on  the 
thumb  by  a  skunk.  Fourteen  days  afterward  singular  sensations  caused 
him  to  seek  medical  advice.  But  it  was  too  late,  and  after  convulsions 
lasting  for  ten  hours  he  died.  This  case  is  reported  by  an  eye-witness,  Mr. 
E.  S.  Love,  ot  Wyandotte,  Kansas,  who  also  gives  several  siniilar  accounts. 

"  One  of  the  men  employed  by  H.  P.  Wilson,  Esq.,  of  Hayes  City,  Kansas, 
was  bitten  by  askuuk  at  night,  while  herding  cattle  on  the  plains.  About  ten 
days  afterward  he  was  seized  with  delirium  and  fearful  con  vuLsious,  which  fol- 
lowed each  other  until  death  brought  relief.  Mr.  Wilson  also  rtipo'  '^i  other 
cases,  one  of  which  is  very  receut.  In  the  summer  of  1873,  a  Swedis.  girl 
was  bitten  by  a  skunk  while  going  to  a  neighbor's  house.  As  the  wound 
was  slight  and  readily  cured,  the  affair  was  hardly  thought  worthy  of  re- 
membrance. But  on  .Ian.  24th,  1874,  the  virus,  which  had  been  latent  for 
five  months,  asserted ,its  power.  She  was  seized  with  terrible  paroxysms. 
Large  doses  of  morphine  were  administered,  which  ended  both  her  agony 
and  her  life. 

"  In  October,  1871,  a  hunter  on  Walnut  Creek,  Kansas,  was  awakened  by 
having  his  left  ear  bitten  by  some  animal.  Seizing  it  with  his  hand,  he  found 
it  to  be  a  skunk,  which  after  a  struggle  he  killed,  but  not  until  his  hand 
was  painfully  punctured  and  lacerated.  He  presented  himself  for  treatment 
to  Dr.  J.  H.  Janeway,  army  surgeon  at  Fort  Hayes,  from  whom  I  have  the 
facts.  The  wounds  in  the  hands  were  cauterized,  much  to  the  man's  dis- 
gust, who  thought  simple  dressing  sufficient.  He  refused  to  have  the  wound 
in  the  ear  touched,  and  went  to  Fort  Harker  to  consult  Dr.  R.  C.  Brewer. 
Twelve  days  afterward  the  latter  reported  that  his  patient  had  died  with 
hydrophobic  symptoms. 

"Another  hunter,  in  the  fall  d  1872,  applied  to  Dr.  Janeway  to  he  treated 
for  a  bite  through  one  of  the  alae  of  the  nose.  He  had  been  attacked  by  a 
skunk,  while  in  camp  on  the  Smoky  River,  two  nights  previous.  He  had 
been  imbibing  stimulants  freely  and  was  highly  excited  and  nervous.  A 
stick  of  nitrate  of  silver  was  passed  throUif^h  the  wound  several  times.  He 
was  kept  under  treatment  for  two  days,  when  he  left  to  have  a  '  madstoue ' 
applied.  He  afterward  went  home  to  his  ranch,  and  died  in  convulsions 
twenty-one  days  from  the  time  he  was  inoculated. 

"  I  give  but  one  more  of  the  cases  reported  to  me  by  Dr.  .laneway.  In 
October,  1871,  he  was  called  to  see  a  young  man  living  in  a  '  dug-out,'  a  few 
,  miles  from  the  fort.  He  had  been  bitten  by  a  skunk,  seventeen  ilays  previ- 
ous, in  the  little  finger  of  the  left  hand.  His  face  was  flushed,  and  he  com- 
plaintd  that  his  throat  seemed  to  bo  turning  into  bone.  On  hearing  the 
sound  of  water  poured  from  a  pail  into  a  tin  cup,  ho  went  into  convulsions, 
that  followed  each  other  with  rapidity  and  violence  for  sixteen  hours,  ter- 
minating in  death.  This  man's  dog  had  also  been  bitten,  and  it  was  sug- 
gested that  he  had  better  be  shut  up.  He  chanced  at  the  time  to  be  in  the 
hog-pen,  ftud  he  was  confined  in  that  enclosure.  Ere  long  he  began  to  gnaw 
furiously  »t  the  rails  and  posts  of  the  pen  and  to  bite  the  hogs ;  until  the  by- 


HYDROPHOBIA   FROM    SKUNK-BITE. 


227 


standers,  convinced  that  he  was  mad,  ended  the  scone  by  shootint;  all  the 
animals  in  the  pen. 

"It  is  evidently  the  opinion  of  Dr.  Janeway  that  the  malady  produced  by 
raephitic  virus  is  simply  hydrophobia.  Should  he  be  correct,  then  all  that 
is  established  by  these  facts  would  be  this,  viz :  that  henceforth  the  varie- 
ties of  Mephitis  must  be  classed  with  those  animals  that  spontaneously  j;en- 
erate  poison  in  the  glands  of  the  mouth  and  communicate  it  by  salivary 
inoculation.  From  this,  as  a  starting-point,  we  might  go  further  and  seek  a 
solution  of  the  whole  mystery  of  hydrophobia  in  the  theory  that  this  dread 
malady  primarily  originates  with  the  allied  genera  of  Mephitis,  Pulorius  and 
Muatela,  widely  scattered  over  the  earth  :*  being  from  them  transferred  to 
the  Felidte  and  Canida  and  other  families  of  animals.  And  then,  if  it  could 
be  proved  experimentally  that  the  ch.aracteristic  mephitic  secretions  con- 
tained an  antidote  for  the  virus  of  the  saliva,  we  should  have  the  whole 
subject  arranged  very  beautifully  ! 

"  I  am  favored  by  Dr.  M.  M.  Spearer,  surgeon  in  the  6th  U.  S.  Cavalry, 
with  notes  from  his  case-book,  of  four  cases  in  which  persons  have  died 
from  the  bite  of  the  skunk ;  and  he  also  mentions  additional  instances 
reported  to  him  by  other  observers.  He  thinks  there  is  a  marked  differ- 
ence between  the  symptoms  of  their  malady  and  those  of  hydrophobia. 
1  uhall  refer  to  his  testimony  again,  but  pause  for  a  moment  to  notice  bis 
final  conclusions,  from  which,  original  and  interesting  as  they  are,  I  must 
dissent.  He  says:  '  I  regard  this  virus  as  being  as  peculiar  to  the  skunk  as 
the  venom  of  the  rattlesnake  is  to  that  creature  ;  and  not  an  occasional  out- 
break of  disease  as  the  ajstus  veneris  of  the  wolf  or  the  rahiea  canina.'  Singu- 
lar as  this  theory  may  seem,  it  is  not  wholly  without  support.  It  is  remark- 
able that  of  all  the  cases  thus  far  reported  to  me  there  is  but  one  instance  of 
recovery.  It  is  stated  in  Watson's  Physic  (vol.  i,  p.  615)  that  of  one  hundred 
and  fourteen  bitten  by  rabid  wolves  only  sixty-seven  died  ;  and  of  those  bit- 
ton  by  rabid  dogs  the  proportion  is  still  less.  But  mephitic  inoculation  is 
sure  death.  Then  agaiu  it  is  to  be  observed  that  the  only  peculiarity  notice- 
able in  these  biting  skunks  is  the  arrest  of  their  effluvium.  They  approach 
stealthily,  while  their  victims  are  asleep,  and  inflict  the  deadly  wound  on 
some  minor  member — the  thumb,  the  little  finger,  the  lobe  of  the  ear,  one  of 
the  alo)  of  the  nose.  How  different  from  the  fierce  assault  of  a  mad  dog ! 
How  subtle  and  snako-like!  It  may  be  remarked,  also,  that  dogs  are  gen- 
erally as  cautious  and  adroit  in  attacking  these  odious  enemies  as  they  are 
in  seizing  venomous  snakes.  But  we  must  remember,  on  the  other  hand, 
that  thousand**  r-f  skunks  are  killed  annually,  partly  as  pests  and  partly  for 
the  fur  trade  ;  and  it  is  incredible  that  an  animal  whose  ordinary  bite  is  as 

"  "  Since  forwarding  this  article  for  publication,  I  have  obtained  an  answer 
to  my  inquiries  made  in  California  through  my  friend,  Dr.  J.  G.  Tidball, 
respecting  the  Me2>hitis  zorilUi  [i.  c,  M.  (Spilogale)  piitoriiu — E.  C.].  He  de- 
scribed it  as  a  very  pretty  animal  which  usually  allows  itself  to  be  killed 
without  resistance.  But  he  adds  that  its  bite  is  highly  dangerous,  causing 
a  fatal  disease  like  hydrophobia. 

"  I  regret  that  he  gives  no  particulars  of  actual  cases ;  but  bis  testimony 
is  interesting,  as  it  brings  into  coudemaatioD  a  species  of  Mejthilis  quite  dif- 
ferent from  M.  chinga." 


i#l  ill 


>      '8 


,1 


I  ,"i 


1  at 


itr- 


ill. 


i28 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


venomous  as  that  f^'  a  rattlesnake,  should  so  seldom  resort  to  that  mode  of 
defence,  if  it  be  his. 

"  The  resulting  disease  resembles  hydrophobia  more  than  it  does  the  effect 
of  ophidian  venom.  But  here,  as  observed  at  the  outset,  the  likeness  is  only 
generic,  while  specifically  there  are  marked  differences.  These  have  pur- 
posely been  kept  in  the  back-ground  until  now.  And  in  giving  a  differential 
diagnosis,  I  shall  avoid  repetitious  details,  and  combine  facts  gathered  from 
many  sources  \«ith  the  close  and  accurate  observations  which  Dr.  Shearer 
has  put  at  my  disposal. 

"1.  The  period  of  incubation  is  alike  in  raMea  canina  and.  rabies  mcphitica. 
That  is,  it  is  indefinite,  ranging  from  ten  days  to  twelve  months,  with  no 
opportunity  meanwhile  for  subsequent  inoculation.  But  during  the  incu- 
bative period  of  /?.  mephitica,  no  perceptible  changes  take  place  in  the  con- 
stitution as  in  hydrophobia.  In  only  one  instance  was  there  unusual  nerv- 
ousness, and  that  might  have  been  due  to  alcohol.  In  every  case  where 
there  was  time  for  it,  the  wounds  healed  over  smoothly  and  permanently, 
and  in  several  instances  not  even  a  scar  was  visible.  In  no  case  was  there 
recrudescence  of  the  wound,  always  seen  in  hydrophobia.  Indeed,  there 
were  so  few  premonitions  of  any  kind  that,  in  most  instances,  the  attending 
physicians  themselves  supposed  the  ailment  to  be  simple  and  trivial,  until 
the  sudden  and  fearful  convulsions  came  on  to  baffle  all  their  skill. 

"2.  Characteristic  pustules  form  in  hydrophobia  beneath  the  tongue  and 
near  the  orifices  of  the  snb-maxillary  glands.  (See  Aitkeu,  Sci.  and  Pract. 
Med.,  vol.  i,  p.  653.)  These  were  not  reported  in  a  single  case  of  B.  mephilica. 
Dr.  Shearer  looked  for  them  carefully  in  all  his  cases,  but  did  not  find  them. 

"3.  The  specific  action  of  hydrophobic  virus  affects  the  eighth  pair  of 
cranial  nerves  and  their  branches,  especially  the  (esophageal  branch,  the 
result  being  great  difficulty  in  swallowing ;  and  the  motor  nerve  of  the  layx 
[larnyx — sic],  causing  sighing,  catching  of  the  breath,  and  difficulty  in 
expelling  the  frothy  mucus  accumulated  in  the  throat.  These  invariable 
accompaniments  of  B.  canina  are  usually  wanting  in  B.  mephilica;  the  ex- 
ceptions being  in  the  case  of  the  Swedish  girl,  who  complained  of  pain  in 
her  chest;  and  the  young  man.  Dr.  Janeway's  patient,  whose  constriction  of 
the  throat  was  decided,  as  well  as  his  sensitiveness  to  water.  Dr.  Shearer's 
patients  had  no  such  trouble.  A  taxidermist,  who  has  seen  four  dogs  die 
from  B.  mephitica,  in  Michigan,  says  they  did  not  seem  to  have  any  fear  of 
water,  or  other  signs  which  he  had  supposed  were  characteristic  of  B.  canina. 
Ordinary  hydrophobia,  again,  is  marked  by  constant  hypertesthesia  of  the 
skin,  so  that  the  slightest  breath  of  air  will  precipitate  convulsions.  But, 
in  B.  mephitica,  faiming  the  face  affords  relief,  and  even  cloths  dipped  in 
water  and  laid  on  the  forehead  were  soothing ! 

"  4.  In  hydrophobia  the  perceptions  are  intensified,  so  that  even  the  deaf 
are  said  to  have  their  hearing  restored ;  the  pupils  are  strongly  dilated,  im- 
parting to  the  eyes  a  wild,  glaring  expression ;  the  spasms  are  tonic,  i.  e., 
steady  and  continuous;  the  pulse  is  feeble;  and  delirium  Is  occasionally 
relieved  by  lucid  intervals.  But  the  symptoms  are  wholly  different  in  B. 
mej)hitica:  there  is  oscillation  of  the  pupil;  the  spasms  are  clonic,  i.  e., 
markevl  by  rapid  alternate  contraction  and  relaxation  of  the  muscles ;  small, 
but  wiry  radial  pulse  and  rapid  carotids ;  positive  loss  of  perception  and 
volition  throughout,  until  delirium  ends  in  persistent  nnconsciousness, 
simultaneonsly  with  cold  perspiration  and  relaxation  of  the  sphincters. 


:'* 


HYDROPHOBIA   FROM   SKUNK-BITE. 


229 


"5.  The  mode  of  death  is  by  asthenia  in  both  forms  of  rabies;  bat  in  R. 
canina  the  frightful  strugjrles  of  nature  to  eliminate  the  poison  are  more 
prolonged  than  in  72.  mephiiica;  and  in  the  latter  they  may,  on  occasion,  be 
still  further  abridged  by  the  use  of  morphine,  which  has  no  narcotic  effect 
upon  the  former,  even  in  the  largest  doses  and  injected  into  the  veius  ! 

"I  have  thus  endeavored  to  de.Hcribe,  and  also  to  explain,  these  strange 
and  painful  phenomena.  I  must  leave  the  reader  to  form  his  own  decision, 
only  hoping  that  some  one  may  be  induced  to  follow  this  pioneer  worlc  iu  a 
new  path,  by  further  and  more  able  investigations  of  his  own. 

"Kansas  City,  Mo.,  Feb.  '24th,  1874." 


[From  the  New  York  Medical  Record,  vol.  x.  no.  827,  pp.  177-lCO,  Mar.  13, 1875.] 
"On  Hydrophobia. — By  John  G.  Janeicay,  M.  D,,  Assiatant  Surgeon,  U.  S.  A, 

"A  writer*  in  the  American  Journal  of  Science  and  Art,  May,  1874,  states 
that '  it  is  evidently  the  opinion  of  Dr.  Janeway  that  the  malady  produced 
by  the  mephitic  virus  is  simply  hydrophobia.  Should  he  be  correct,  then 
all  that  is  established  by  these  facts  would  be  this,  viz.:  that  henceforth  the 
varieties  mephitis  must  be  classed  with  those  animals  that  spontaneously 
generate  poison  in  the  glands  of  the  mouth  and  communicate  it  by  salivary 
iiioculation.'[t]  The  personal  observation  of  fifteen  fatal  cases  of  hydropho- 
bia, produced  by  the  bite  of  rabid  animals,  skunks,  wolves,  and  hogs.t  and 
the  reliable  statements  of  a  number  of  other  cases,  has  fully  couHrmed  me 
in  the  opinion  above  stated,  that  the  malady  produced  by  mephitic  virus  is 
simply  hydrophobia. 

"  The  following  five  cases  are  taken  from  the  iifteeu  fatal  cases  that  have 
fallen  under  my  observation  : 

"Case  I.  Bite  of  Skdnk. — Was  called  to  visit  Wm.  P.,  aged  nineteen,  a 
herder,  whom  I  was  told  by  the  messenger  had  been  acting  strangely  all  the 
morning.  I  found  him  lying  on  a  bed  iA  a  sod-house,  dressed,  with  several 
of  his  companions  around  him.  Face  Hushed,  pulse  very  rapid,  the  heat  of 
skin  intense  and  dry,  eyes  brilliant  and  pupils  dilated  rather  more  than 
natural,  extremely  restless  and  frequently  catching  at  his  throat ;  upon 
questioning,  replied  that  his  throat  was  turning  into  bone.  Hud  not  felt 
well  for  two  or  three  days ;  did  not  know  what  wds  the  matter  with  him. 
Upou  pouring  out  some  water  from  a  pail  near  by,  to  admiuister  morphia  to 
him,  he  went  suddenly  into  convulsions. 

"  Suspecting  hydrophobia  immediately,  aa  soon  as  he  regained  conscious- 
ness I  learned  that  he  had  been  bitteu  by  a  skunk,  just  before  daybreak, 
seventeen  days  before,  in  the  little  linger  of  the  left  hand  ;  that  the  wound 
was  small  and  soon  healed  ;  that  for  two  days  preceding  my  seeing  him  bis 

*  "  Rev.  Horace  C.  Hovey,  M.  A." 

t  [There  is  some  typographical  confhsion  in  the  quotation-marks  at  the 
opening  of  Dr.  Janeway's  article  ;  and  Dr.  Janeway  does  not  quote  Mr. 
Hovey's  literally,  leaving  it  liable  to  be  misunderstood  whose  opinion  is  be- 
ing quoted.  I  have  slightly  altered  the  text  in  this  place,  to  reproduce  the 
quotation  literally  from  the  original. — E.  C] 

f'Skunks  10,  wolves  3,  hogsa."  ;..   i  -^  ,  .^  v..    •.  -.      » 


-■;,siA»  )  f '}  V  '■ 


» !• 


S-ll-i^li' 


'I 

1 


# 


T 


"  { 

•i-!. 


1.  •)!/•*  ♦ 
Ml 


i 


230 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


I 


finger  and  arm  had  felt  iinmb.  Upon  examining  the  finger,  slight  redness 
was  observed  at  the  place  bitten,  tongue  slightly  furred  and  somewhat 
swollen,  no  so-called  '  characteristic  pustules '  were  to  be  seen.  Thirst  in- 
tense and  begged  for  water,  but  the  sound  of  dipping  the  water  from  the 
pail  throw  him  immediately  into  still  more  terrible  convulsions,  frequent 
sighing,  aud  catching  his  breath.  Administer  hypodermic  injections  of 
morphia  without  avail.  Upon  the  arrival  of  chloroform,  which  I  had  sent 
fur,  its  administration  gave  partial  relief  for  a  short  time.  His  endeavors 
to  free  himself  of  the  tenacious  mucus  were  terrible,  when  the  incautious 
upsetting  of  a  pail  of  water  again  threw  him  into  convulsions,  opisthotonous 
in  character,  followed  by  attempts  at  biting  those  holding  him,  and  when 
consciousness  was  regained,  asking  pardon  for  so  doing.  Hyperussthesia 
existed  in  a  very  marked  degree  iu  this  case.  Death  came  to  his  relief  in 
about  eighteen  hours  from  the  time  of  his  first  convulsion. 

"  Cask  II.  Brrn  of  Skunk.— An  emigrant  from  Wisconsin,  camped  on  the 
north  fork  of  Big  Creek,  about  seven  miles  from  Hays,  applied  to  me  in  the 
fall  of  1872  for  dressing  for  his  hand,  which  had  been  bitten  between  the 
thumb  and  index  finger  of  his  left  hand,  the  night  previously,  by  a  skunk. 
Cauteri/ed  the  wound  well,  and  directed  him  to  repeat  the  cauterization 
twice  a  day.  Saw  nothing  of  him  for  twelve  days,  when  I  was  sent  for,  and 
upon  arriving  at  his  camp  found  him  iu  convulsions,  which  were  repeated 
rapidly.  Face  flushed,  eyes  brilliant,  pupils  rather  contrticted,  skin  hot  and 
dry,  pulse  small  and  rapid,  120,  no  so-called  '  characteristic  pustules '  under 
the  tongue.  When  not  in  convulsions,  mind  clear  and  fully  aware  of  the 
fate  that  jiwaited  him.  From  his  wife  I  learned  that  after  the  third  day  of 
using  the  caustic  the  wound  healed  and  gave  him  no  further  trouble ;  that 
for  three  days  he  had  been  complaining  of  some  fulness  in  the  head,  and  a 
general  '  malaise,'  neither  sick  nor  well ;  that  the  convulsions  came  on 
about  seven  hours  previous  to  my  seeing  him,  suddenly,  upon  attempting  to 
take  a  drink  from  a  spring  close  to  their  camp;  that  he  would  go  into  con- 
vulsions whenever  water  or  tea  was  offered  him,  and  that  the  faintest 
breath  of  air  would  cause  him  the  greatest  anguish,  so  that  she  had  to  put 
a  blanket  up  before  the  door.  Death  followed  in  twenty-one  hours  after 
seizure. 

"  Cask  III.  Bite  of  Skunk.— A  hunter,  in  the  latter  part  of  October,  1872, 
applied  to  me  to  be  treated  for  a  bite  through  the  right  ala  of  the  nose. 
He  had  been  attacked  by  a  skunk  while  iu  camp  on  the  Smoky  Hill  river 
two  nights  previous.  Having  learned,  previous  to  my  seeing  him,  that 
skunk-bites  would  produce  hydrophobia,  he  had  imbibed  freely,  and  was 
decidedly  under  the  influence  of  liquor  when  I  saw  him,  evidently  nervous 
about  himself,  but  trying  to  conceal  the  fact. 

"A  stick  of  nitrate  of  silver  was  passed  repeatedly  through  the  wound. 
Actual  cautery  was  proposed,  but  be  would  not  consent  to  its  use.  After 
being  under  treatment  two  days  he  left  aud  went  to  Missouri,  to  have  the 
mad-stone  applied ;  returning  from  there,  he  followed  his  occupation. 
Twenty-one  days  after  he  was  bitten  he  was  taken  with  convulsions,  and 
died  about  an  hour  after  I  got  to  his  ranch,  nearly  thirty  hours  after  the 
seizure.  From  one  of  his  companions  I  learned  that  after  his  return  from 
Missouri  he  was  cheerful  and  in  apparent  health  up  to  the  day  before  his 
seizure,  when  he  complained  of  pain  in  his  nose  and  face,  headache,  chilly. 


I! 


HYDROPHOBIA   FROM    SKUNK-BITE 


231 


and  feeliu);  tired,  but  bad  no  apprebenHioa  concerning  biniself.  Tbe  Arst 
symptom,  t be  morning  tbe  disease  developed  itself,  was  a  feeling  of  con- 
striction in  tbe  tbroat,  togetber  with  dryness,  opisthotonos,  with  decided 
mania  preceding  the  spasms. 

"  Case  IV.  Bite  of  Wolf. — A  private  of  Co.  F,  Sixth  Cavalry,  was  bitten 
by  a  wolf  one  evening,  just  after  be  had  come  off  post,  in  tbe  lobe  of  the 
left  ear,  in  tbe  early  part  of  October,  1873.  Tbe  wound  was  freely  cauter- 
ized with  nitrate  of  silver  by  tbe  surgeon  of  the  camp.  On  tbe  'i8th  of  tbe 
same  month  be  applied  to  me  for  medicine  for  headache,  which  was  given 
to  him.  On  the  30th  he  again  applied  for  medicine,  stating  that  be  did  not 
feel  sick  enough  to  go  on  the  sick  report.  Knowing  tbe  man's  history,  I 
cautiously  examined  him,  and  questioned  him  in  such  a  way  as  not  to  ex- 
cite his  fears.  I  found  that  tbe  lobe  of  the  ear  that  had  been  bitten  was 
quite  numb  to  tbe  touch.  No  other  symptoms  presented  themselves  promi- 
nently. There  was,  however,  a  general  malaise.  Tbe  day  following,  the 
man  was  in  tbe  ranks  for  muster  and  inspection.  Observing  him,  I  saw  at 
once  that  something  was  wrong,  and  upon  reporting  bis  case  be  was  ordered 
to  his  quarters,  by  the  commanding  officer.  Fifteen  minutes  later  I  was 
sent  for  to  see  him,  and  found  him  in  convulsions,  which  the  orderly  in- 
formed me  came  on  upon  bis  attempts  to  take  a  drink  of  water.  He  was  at 
once  removed  to  the  hospital.  He  suffered  from  cold,  he  told  me,  whilst 
being  conveyed  there.  Examination  revealed  alternately  contracting  and 
dilating  pupils ;  skin  very  hot ;  temperature  102°,  102.5°,  100°,  by  three 
examinations,  with  the  thermometer  in  the  axilla ;  pulse  120-125,  alternat- 
ing in  volume  before  and  after  a  spasm,  but  constantly  rapid.  Tongue  some- 
what swollen  and  indented  by  tbe  teeth  on  the  edge;  thick,  whitish  fur ; 
no  so-called  'characteristic  pustules'  under  the  tongue.  Tiiirst  intense; 
no  irritability  or  sensation  in  tbe  wound  of  the  ear ;  constriction  of  the 
pharynx;  increasing  violent  attempts  to  relieve  himself  of  tbe  thick  and 
tenacious  saliva ;  sound  produced  resembling  more  tbe  bark  of  a  wolf  than 
any  sound  ever  heard.  Complete  inability  to  swallow  any  liquid,  the  at- 
tempt ending  in  a  convulsion.  Mental  faculties  perfect  when  not  in  spasm  ; 
fully  aware  that  death  must  end  the  scene.  Towards  the  close  the  convul- 
sions were  longer  and  of  greater  strength,  with  frequent  furious  attempts 
to  bite  his  attendants,  for  which  he  would  beg  their  pardon  time  and  again. 
Death  took  place  suddenly  in  thirty  hours. 

"  Case  V.  Bite  of  Dog. — A  man,  aged  about  46,  attached  to  a  bay-camp, 
applied  to  me  in  August,  1873,  to  dress  his  band,  which  bad  been  terribly 
lacerated  by  a  favorite  hound  that  day.  He  stated  that  bis  dog  bad  been 
acting  rather  strangely  for  several  days,  but  that  up  to  that  time  had 
always  come  to  him  when  called,  and  had  appeared  as  affectionate  as  ever ; 
that  a  strange  dog  bad  appeared  in  camp,  and  that  his  dog  had  attacked  it 
furiously ;  he  attempted  to  separate  them,  when  his  dog  turned  and  bit  him 
through  the  hand,  his  teeth  passing  completely  through  from  side  to  side ; 
that  immediately  after  biting  him  be  (dog)  bad  run  off  a  short  distance  and 
laid  down  in  a  pool  of  water.  Cauterizing  the  wound  freely  I  directed  him 
to  report  at  the  hospital  next  morning,  when  the  eschar  was  removed  and 
bis  hand  was  again  cauterized.  Tbe  following  day  he  called  at  the  hospital 
and  stated  that  he  had  shot  his  dog,  and  was  satisfied  that  be  was  mad,  and 
that  be  was  going  that  day  to  Missouri  to  have  a  mad-stone  applied.    Ue 


jSfl 


m 

Pi 
mm 


;!  Ml 


1- 


■i^ 


1 


ii!:  I 


'fi'fV" 


232 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


.'■ ' 


i1' 


renmined  there  a  week,  and  then  returned  and  rejoined  the  hay-camp.  On 
the  twenty-f(inrth  day  after  he  was  bitten,  I  whh  sent  for  to  visit  him  at  the 
hay-camp,  on  the  Smoky  Hill  river,  lying  in  a  wagon-bed,  and  was  saluted 
with,  'Doctor,  that  dog  has  killed  me  ;  I  know  that  I  have  got  the  hydro- 
phobia, and  that  I  shall  die.'  His  face  flushed  ;  skin  hot ;  pnlse  very  ra})id 
and  small,  liio;  tongue  furred,  brownish,  swollen;  complained  that  his 
throat  was  turning  into  bone,  and  that  he  could  not  swallow;  if  he  saw 
any  liquid,  thought  he  would  like  to  drink  a  bucketful  of  water  just  once. 
On  attempting  to  give  him  some  morphia  in  solution  the  convulsions  were 
ushered  in.  He  had  been  well  up  to  the  morning  he  sent  for  me.  The  first 
symptom  he  noticed  was  the  feeling  of  constriction  in  his  throat,  and  he 
noticed  a  slight  increase  of  redness  in  the  wounds  on  his  hand,  though  there 
was  no  pain.  Had  seen  several  cases  of  hydrophobia,  and  at  the  earnest 
solicitation  of  his  wife  had  sent  for  me.  Left  him  powders,  of  twenty  grains 
each,  hydrate  chloral,  to  be  given  in  moist  sugar  every  three  hours,  and 
promised  to  see  him  next  morning.  I  saw  him  the  following  morning,  and 
found  him  decidedly  worse;  convulsions  more  frequent  and  stronger;  pulse 
smaller  and  extremely  rapid  ;  tongue  more  swollen  ;  no  so-called  '  charac- 
teristic pustules'  to  be  found  after  caieful  search;  eyes  brilliant,  with 
rather  a  contracted  pnpil ;  great  difficulty  of  swallowing,  though  he  was 
able  to  sup  up  a  little  water  through  some  straw  from  a  covered  cup ;  had 
considerable  sleep  from  the  chloral,  but  his  stomach  had  rejected  the  last 
dose,  and  he  was  unable  to  take  any  more  ;  mental  faculties  clear,  could  tell 
the  approach  of  a  convulsion,  and  begged  his  wife  and  attendants  to  take 
care  ;  much  increase  of  the  thick  tenacious  saliva,  and  greater  difficulty  in 
freeing  himself  of  it.  No  alteration  in  appearance  of  wound.  The  con- 
vulsions became  more  frequent,  stronger,  and  longer  in  duration.  He  in- 
sisted upon  being  chained  down  to  the  wagon  bed  to  prever^  his  injuring 
any  one.  Chloroform  was  left,  with  directions  as  to  use.  T  a  day  follow- 
ing I  found  him  barely  alive,  unconscious,  with  frequent  feeble  spasms. 
Death  ended  the  terrible  scene  after  thirty-seven  hours  of  sufl'erings.  In 
this  case  there  was  no  marked  hypero^sthesia  of  the  skin  complained  of. 

"Neither  can  I  agree  with  the  writer  of  the  paper  mentioned  above,  that 
niephitic  inoculation  is  sure  death.  For  the  result  of  one  case  of  bite  from 
a  rabid  skunk,  which  will  be  detailed  more  fully  hereafter,  the  report  of 
eight  others  (six  hunters  and  two  soldiers)  that  were  bitten,  and  also  from 
having  in  my  possession  two  dogs,  one  a  setter  and  the  other  a  black-aud- 
tan,  which  have  been  repeatedly  bitten  in  encounters  with  these  animals 
and  have  as  yet  never  evinced  any  symptom  of  the  disease,  will  not  permit 
me  to  concur  with  him.  That  more  cases,  proportionally,  may  result  fatally 
from  the  bite  of  this  animal,  than  from  the  bite  of  rabid  dogs  or  wolves,  is 
probably,  if  not  actually,  the  case ;  still,  there  are  obvious  reasons  for  it  to 
be  so.  An  animal  nocturnal  in  its  habits,  generally  timid,  but  armed  with 
a  powerful  battery  to  resist  any  injury  or  affront ;  one  that  will  not  attempt 
to  bite  in  defence  until  the  secretion  provided  for  it  by  uature  is  exhausted, 
loses  that  secretion  by  the  disease.  It  is  a  well-authenticated  fact  that 
rabid  skunks  are  entirely  free  from  the  odor  so  characteristic  of  these  ani- 
mals, which  could  not  occur  if  the  secretion  was  not  exhausted,  and  forget- 
ting its  normal  timidity  will  attack  any  person  or  animal  he  may  come  in 
contact  with,  biting  the  most  exposed    art  of  the  body,  the  alte  of  the  nose, 


■  •4  f'/'J. 


HYDROPHOBIA   FROM   SKUNK-BITE. 


233 


ilie  lobo  of  the  ear,  the  thumb,  or  one  of  the  flofcers,  and  passes  on.  Here 
iH  probably  the  reason  these  bites  are  more  fatal  than  those  of  other  ani- 
mals—always  in  a  vascular  part  not  protected  by  clothing,  which  prevents 
by  wiping  away  the  poisonous  saliva  in  the  fierce  attacks  of  the  mad  dog 
or  wolf,  and  thus  saves  the  life  of  the  one  bitten.  At  a  frontier  post*  this 
was  well  illustrated.  A  mud  wolf  suddenly  sprang  upon  the  officer  of  the 
day,  who  was  making  his  round,  and  bit  him  on  the  arm,  through  his  cloth- 
ing; p&ssing  on,  he  bit  a  sentinel  on  post  in  the  wrist,  between  the  sleeve 
of  his  coat  and  glove,  and  then  sprang  upon  a  woman  who  was  nursing  a 
child  near  by,  and  bit  her  on  the  shoulder  through  a  thick  woollen  shanl. 
All  the  cases  were  treated  the  same.  The  officer  and  the  woman  escaped 
the  dread  disease,  but  the  soldier  died  of  hydrophobia.  A  recent  writer  t 
says  m  reference  to  bites  of  rabid  dogs :  'The  documents  of  investigation 
furnish  indications  full  of  interest  in  regard  to  the  more  or  less  iunocnous- 
uess  of  bites,  according  to  the  different  parts  of  the  body  upon  which  they 
were  inflicted.  If  we  compare  the  fatal  with  the  harmless  bites  made  upon 
the  same  region,  we  find  that  out  of  thirty-two  cases  where  the  face  was 
bitten,  twenty-nine  proved  fatal,  which  gives  these  wounds  a  mortality  of 
ninety  per  cent.  Out  of  seventy-three  cases,  in  which  the  wonnds  were 
upon  the  hands,  they  have  been  fatal  in  only  forty-six  cases,  harmless  in 
twenty-seven,  giving  an  average  mortality  of  sixty-three  per  cent.  In 
comparing  wounds  of  the  arms  and  logs  with  those  of  the  face  and  hands, 
the  ratio  is  inverted;  twenty-eight  wounds  upon  the  arms  were  followed  by 
only  eight  fatal  terminations,  and  twenty-four  bites  upon  the  lower  limbs 
gave  only  seven  fatal  cases ;  seventeen  remained  harmless,  showing  a  mor- 
tality of  twenty  eight  to  twenty-nine  per  cent.,  and  an  innocuousness  of 
seventy  to  twenty-one  per  cent.,  and,  lastly,  the  ratio  mortality  for  wounds 
upon  the  body  is  shown  as  f<dlows :  Out  of  uineteeu  bitten,  twelve  cases 
were  fatal  and  seven  bites  proved  harmless.' 

"These  facts  are  confirmatory  of  those  afforded  by  other  statistics,  demon- 
strating also  that  rabid  wounds  upon  uncovered  or  unprotected  parts,  such 
as  the  face  and  hands,  are  mnch  more  readily  contagious  than  those  of  the 
arms  and  legs,  which  the  teeth  of  the  animal  cannot  reach  without  passing 
through  a  portion  of  the  clothing,  which  wipes  ofl'  the  virulent  moisture 
from  the  teeth.  It  is  true  the  consequences  of  bites  upon  the  body  seem  to 
conflict  with  this  statement :  but  we  must  remember  that  generally  these 
wounds  are  more  severe,  and  among  them  some  are  uncovered  parts,  such 
as  the  neck  and  chest,  and  that,  when  a  man  is  attacked  by  a  rabid  animal 
and  bitten  upon  the  body,  he  ;>  also  bitten  upon  his  hands,  which  are  his 
material  means  of  defence.  Anoi^ner  reason  for  the  apparent  large  propor- 
tion of  fatal  cases  from  skunk  bite  is,  that  it  is  only  since  1871  that  these 
cases  have  been  collected,  or  that  the  fact  of  hydrophobia  existing  in  and 
following  the  bites  of  these  animals  has  been  generally  known,  and  only 
those  cases  proving  fatal  have  been  reported,  the  non-fatal  cases,  from  the 
trivial  character  of  the  wound,  not  being  considered  of  sufficient  importance 
to  report. 

.    V!  .V    "a  cask  of  skunk  bite  VOt  FATAL.       (.'-•*•<?  .^'l;v..■    .1, ;,,.;* 

"  W.,  a  young  man,  twenty-two  years  old,  born  in  Missouri,  commonly  known 

*"  Fo>t  Lamed,  Kansas." 
■  •  }  ■     t "  H.  flv.uley,  Gt-n.  Inspector  Vet.  Schools  of  France,  etc.,  etc." 


■m 


'A  I 

■  * '  13 


H''' 


f  ii! 


234 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


■.*■/.', 


by  the  Honbriqnot '  Pike  County,'  driving  a  team  for  a  party  of  enngrants  for 
Colorado,  waa  bitten  at  night,  in  the  early  part  of  May,  ld74,  upon  lott  cheek, 
by  a  sknnk,  whilst  camped  at  Park's  Fort,*  Kansas.  A  companion,  who  was 
bitten  by  the  same  animal,  freely  cauterized  the  wound.  Early  the  next 
day  he  presented  himself  at  the  hospital  for  treatment.  Removing  the  eschar 
I  cauterized  it  again  freely  with  caustic,  and  directed  that  he  take  i^th  grain 
of  strychnia  every  three  hours  during  the  day,  with  vegetable  tonics  and  full 
diet,  the  wound  to  be  cauterized  morning  and  night,  and  a  poultice  to  bo 
applied  one  hour  before  retouching  to  remove  the  eschar  and  promote  sup- 
puration. No  cbaraoteristic  symptoms  being  produced  by  the  strychnia  on 
the  fourth  day,  it  was  increased  to  T^th  grain  dose,  given  as  before.  Sup- 
puration was  fairly  set  up  in  the  wound  and  continued ;  four  days  after, 
Htryclinia  increased  to  grain  ^th,  and  continued  at  that  for  four  days  without 
any  symptoms  of  its  toxic  effects.  The  dose  was  then  increased  to  grain 
^th,  and  continued  for  six  days  without  the  patient  being  conscious  of  any 
jerkings,  though  the  night  nurse  and  some  of  the  patients  stated  that  ho 
jerked  somewhat  more  than  natural  when  asleep.  Suppuration  of  the  wound 
continued  free  under  the  caustic  and  poultices:  the  dose  of  strychnia  was 
then  increased  to  grain  i,  and  I  watched  him  very  carefully,  for  the  slightest 
appearance  of  the  eifcct  of  the  medicine,  for  six  days.  On  the  last  day  I 
detected  some  slight  iu'  ^luntary  twitching  of  the  muscles  of  the  face,  and 
reduced  tlie  dose.  Two  days  after  reducing  he  remarked  that  he  guessed  that 
he  was  safe  from  hydrophobia,  as  the  strychnia  bad  not  killed  him.  The 
wound  was  allowed  to  heal  up,  which  it  did  rapidly,  and  a  few  days  after  he 
left  the  hospital,  and  I  saw  him  three  mouths  after  perfectly  well. 

"  The  above  case  shows  either,  first,  that  the  man  was  not  inoculated  by 
the  virus  when  bitten ;  second,  a  wonderful  tolerance  for  the  drug  if  he  was 
not  so  inoculated ;  or,  third,  that  acting  primarily  as  a  tonic  to  the  nerve 
elements  it  enabled  them  to  resist  the  invasion  of  the  disease,  and  together 
with  the  frequent  cauterization  and  free  suppuration,  to  eliminate  the  poison 
from  the  system.  (That  the  strychnia  used  was  a  good  article  was  proved 
by  the  effect  of  a  small  dose  upon  an  obnoxious  cur  of  medium  size.)  I  am 
inclined  to  the  latter,  for  that  the  animal  causing  the  wound  was  undoubt- 
edly rabid  is  proved  by  the  fact  that  the  companion  who  was  bitten  by  the 
same  animal,  in  the  camp,  on  the  same  evening,  was  reported  to  have  died 
from  hydrophobia  about  ten  days  after  being  bitten,  and  should  another  case 
present,  would  adopt  the  same  treatment  and  push  the  drug  until  its  char- 
acteristic effects  upon  the  system  presented. 

"  Rabies  Mephitica,  like  Rabies  Canina,  is  evidently  epidemical,  no  cases  of 
it  having  been  reported  previous  to  1870  in  this  region. 

"  The  period  of  incubation  is  alike  in  Rabies  Canina  and  Rabies  Mephitica 
(so  called),  that  is,  it  is  indefinite,  ranging  from  ten  days  to  ninety  days,  no 
opportunity  in  the  meanwhile  being  afforded  for  subsequent  inoculation  of 
hydrophobia.  Statistics  show  that  the  manifestations  of  the  disease  have 
been  most  numerous  during  the  first  sixty  days,  and  that  after  a  bite  from  a 
rabid  animal  the  probabilities  of  escape  increase  considerably  when  sixty 
days  have  passed  and  no  symptoms  of  the  disease  have  shown  themselves, 
and  that  after  the  ninety  days  entire  immunity  is  almost  certain.  Still,  I 
am  aware  that  cases  are  reported  of  a  longer  period  of  incubation.    These 

~~~'        "~~  -""Park's'Fort"  KfR  R.  W."  ,.     , 


HYDROPHOBIA   FROM   SKUNK-BITE. 


235 


are  exceptional,  and  when  reported  to  extend  beyond  the  fonrth  month  it 
may  be  qnestioned  whether  the  patient  has  not  been  unconsciously  inocu- 
lated by  the  careHses  of  a  pot  dog,  suft'oring  from  the  disease  unsuspected, 
from  tetanus,  or,  as  Baron  Larrey*  remarked,  when  coramentatiuK  upon  Dr. 
Ferool's  case  of  hydrophobia  with  two  years  and  a  half  incubation  :  *  For 
my  part  I  should  be  disposed  to  regard  his  case  not  as  an  example  of  rabies, 
with  an  incubation  of  two  years  and  a  half,  but  as  one  of  cerebral  hydro- 
phobia or  symptomatic  of  acute  delirium,  provoked  or  aggravated  by  the 
coincidence  of  the  bite  of  a  dog  presumed  to  be  mad.'  In  all  the  cases  from 
the  bite  of  a  skunk  the  prodromic  stage  of  the  disease  was  more  or  less 
marked,  though  none  of  them  amounting  to  acute  melancholy.  An  indefinite 
feeling  of  dread  and  a  general  malaise — the  most  prominent  symptoms, 
together,  in  most  cases,  with  pr:n  or  numbness  at  the  seat  of  the  wound, 
were  present  from  one  to  three  days.  To  most  of  these  unfortunates  the 
fearful  result  of  the  trivial  wound  they  had  received  was  unknown,  and 
unaware  of  their  perilous  condition  were  not  incessantly  tormented  with 
sad  forebodings  or  dread  of  the  onset  of  the  malady. 

"  2.  The  characteristic  pustules  which  the  writer  of  Rabies  Mephitica  lays 
stress  upon  were  not  found  in  any  of  the  ccses  of  hydrophobia  produced 
either  by  the  bite  of  the  skunk,  wolf,  or  dog.  Niemeyer  t  states  that '  the 
assertions  of  Marochetti,  who  claims  that  during  the  incubation  stage  vesi- 
cles form  beneath  the  tongue,  and  that  by  destroying  these  vesicles  the  out- 
break of  the  disease  can  be  avertefl,  have  not  been  substantiated.' 

"  3.  That  the  invariable  accompaniments  of  Rabies  Canina  were  not  want- 
ing in  the  cases  of  R.  Mephitica.  The  specitic  actit)n  of  the  poison  was  made 
manifest  first  by  the  oesophageal  branch  of  the  eighth  pair,  gi  :'ing  rise  to 
the  characteristic  symptom  of  the  disease,  or  to  the  extreme  difficulty  of 
swallowing,  especially  of  fluids ;  then  the  frequent  catching  of  breath  no- 
ticed in  all  cases,  showing  that  the  recurrent  nerve  was  also  affected  ;  later 
brilliant  eye,  and  the  sense  of  touch  becomes  painfully  excited,  hyperajsthe- 
sia  existing  in  a  marked  degree,  with  the  exceptiou,of  the  case  reported  of 
R.  Canina,  all  of  which  point  to  some  lesion  of  the  central  and  spinal  nerves. 
That  the  brain  itself,  and  especially  the  region  of  the  medulla  oblongata 
becomes  affected  by  the  terrible  convulsions  and  delirium  in  the  more  ad- 
vanced stage  of  the  malady.  The  spasms  in  all  the  cases  were  unlike' those 
of  tetanus,  less  continuous,  remittent,  and  often  intermittent.  In  none  of 
the  cases  produced  by  the  skunk  bite  was  there  any  loss  of  perception.  In 
no  case  that  I  saw  did  morphia  have  any  effect  in  abridging  the  fearful 
struggles;  death  either  ended  with  convulsions, or  exhausted  by  the  terrible 
exertions  a  sudden  calm  took  place,  and,  as  if  nature  gave  up  the  conflict, 
died  without  a  groan." 

*  "  Loudon  Medical  Times  and  Gazette,  Aug.  8, 1874,  p.  159." 
t "  Niemeyer,  Pract.  of  Med," 


m 


I 


!'  I 


mm 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


ME PHITINzE— Continued:  Skunks. 

The  genus  Mephitis,  continued — Mephilis  macrura,  the  Long-tailed  Mexican 
Sltiink — Synonymy — Habitat — Specific  cliaracters — Description — Tlieaiib- 
genwi  Spilogale — Mephitis  (Spilogale)  pnforitia,  the  Little  Striped  Skunk — 
Synonymy — Habitat — Specific  charactera — D.^^cription  of  external  char- 
acters— Description  of  the  sknll  and  tenth — History  of  the  species — The 
({eniis  Conepatus — Conepatus  mapurilo,  the  White-backed  Skunk — Synon- 
ymy— Habitat — Specific  characters — Description  of  external  characters — 
Description  of  the  skull  aiul  teeth — Descriptiou  of  the  anal  ((lauds — Geo- 
(rraphical  distribution  and  habits. 

THE  length  of  the  foregoing  chapter  having  rendered  a 
division  of  the  parts  of  the  work  relating  to  Mephinnrc 
ndviisable,  I  continue  directly  with  an  acconnt  of  the  other 
Bpecies  of  the  genus  Mephitis,  and  of  the  genus  Conepatus. 

Iioiiff-tailefl  Ulexican  iSkiink. 


9I«phitis  macriira. 

Mephilis  mafroura,  liicR  Darst.  Siiug.  isa7-;i4,  pi.  46,  "f.l,2";  Abh.  Alt.  Wis8.  Berl.  1*36 
(IH3S),277.— M'aj/>i«r,  Suppl.  Sehrehur,  ii.  1841,  IdS.—Sehim,  S.yn.  i.  1844,  323,  no.  li.— 
Buifdy  M.  N.  A.  1857, 200.— To»ft«»,  V.  Z.  S.  188 1, 280.— (/ere.  Cut.  Bones  Br.  Mils.  18oi,  97. 
[Nut  nacrours  of  And.  &.  Bnch.,  nor  of  Woodhonse.] 

Mephilis  mcxlcana,  Gray,  Mag.  N.  H.  i.  1837,  581;  P.Z.S.  18G3,  149;  Cat  Cam.  Br.  Miis. 
1869,  — . 

?  .Uemiltillls  edulls,  Iterlandier,  MSS.  ined.*  '       . 

Quid  Mevhltis  lUDKlcandata,  Tomes,  P.Z.  S.  1861,280  (Quatemala)  t 

*  Tho  animal  referred  to  by  Burlaudier  is  probably  this  species.  "  Smaller 
than  the  Polecat.  Length  of  head  and  body  13  inches;  tail  11;  black  ;  a 
white  frontal  line;  another  on  the  uape,  dividing  into  two  lateral  ones,  after- 
ward converging  near  the  root  of  the  tail,  on  which  they  unite ;  tail  white- 
tipped.  Inhabits  most  of  Mexico.  I  have  found  it  about  Sau  Fernando  de 
Bexar,  and  in  eastern  interior  States,  where  it  is  improperly  called  Zorillo. 
It  may  be  tamed ;  is  rather  nocturnal;  hunts  various  small  animals ;  is  slow 
and  heavy  in  its  movements,  and  bites  forcibly.  The  fluid  is  highly  phos- 
phorescent by  night.  The  natives  are  fond  of  its  flush;  they  kill  it,  taking 
care  not  to  irritate  it,  remove  the  anal  glaads  entire,  cut  otf  the  head  and 
feet,  singe  off  the  hair,  and  broil  the  flesh.  I  overcame  my  repugnance  on 
one  occasion  and  tasted  the  meat,  which  I  found  not  disagreeable;  it  re- 
sembled young  pork."  (Freely  translated  with  abridgment  from  the  original 
MSS.) 

236  ~~ 


DESCRIPTION   OF   MEPHITIS   MACRUHA. 


237 


Hah. — Mexico.    (Not  known  to  occur  in  tlm  United  StatoH.) 

Si'KCIkk;  ciiAi<ACTKR8. — Tail  very  lonjj,  tiio  veitoltim  alone  nearly  as  lon;j 

nn  tlio  lieail  and  body;  tail  with  liali-a  not  Hliortur  than  the  heai'  "nd  body. 

A  broad  undivided  white  docHal  area  (as  in  Convpalitu),  with  laic'ral  Mtripo 

and  frontal  streak  (iu  the  Hpccimen  examined). 

Description.* 

The  specimen  wliicli  I  refer  without  hesitation  to  thi.s  species 
is  considerably  smaller  than  M.  mephitica,  in  fact  little  exceed- 
ing Spihgale  jmtoriiiH,  with  a  tail  (including  hairs)  longer  than 
the  head  and  bmly,  and  other  characters  indicating  specific 
validity. 

I  have  no  doubt  that  this  specimen  represents  Lii'htcnstein's 
animal,  described  as  above  cited,  from  IMexico.  The  M.  rittata 
of  the  same  author,  op.  cit.  pi.  47  (also  Abhand.  Akad.  Wiss. 
Berlin  for .1836,  1838,  278;  Wagner,  Suppl.  Schreb.  ii.  1841; 
Baird,  M.  N.  A.  1857,  200),  from  Oaxaca,  is  based  upon  certain 
slight  peculiarities  of  color,  and  does  not  seem  to  be  specifically 
f'istr'iguishable.  But  I  have  seen  no  specimens  corresponding 
with  Lichtenstein-s  descriptions,  and  consequently  do  not  ven- 
ture to  commit  myself  in  the  matter. 

The  general  physiognomy  is  that  of  true  Mephitis,  the  snout 
very  acutely  pointed  but  not  produced,  and  closely  furred  to 
the  sm all,  rounded,  definitely  naked  nasal  pad.  The  nostrils  are 
antero-lateral.  The  ears  are  much  as  in  M.  mephitica — perhaps 
rather  smaller.  The  fore  claws  seem  to  be  remarkably  long, 
slender,  and  curved ;  the  outer  reaches  more  than  halfway  to 
the  end  of  the  fourth,  while  the  first  barely  attains  the  base  of 
the  second.  There  may  be  some  peculiarity  in  the  tubercula- 
tion  of  the  soles,  but  this  cannot  well  be  made  out  in  the  dried 
specimen.  The  palms  are  perfectly  naked ;  the  soles  the  same, 
excepting  a  little  space  on  the  side  of  the  heel.  The  tail-ver- 
tebrae appear  just  to  about  equal  in  length  the  head  and  body, 
which  is  not  the  case  in  any  other  species  of  the  family  I  have 
seen.  The  tail  is  much  less  bushy  than  usual  in  Mephitis  proper, 
but  seems  to  have  been  in  this  specimen  somewhat  worn  away. 

In  coloration,  this  species  curiously  combines  the  broad  white 
dorsal  area  of  Conepattts  with  lateral  dorsal  stripes  and  frontal 
streak  of  Mephitis  mephitica.  The  white  dorsal  area  begins 
squarely  on  the  UHpe  and  continues  uninterrupted  to  the  tail, 
but  is  only  pure  white  anteriorly,  being  elsewhere  of  a  grayish 

*  Fruui  No.  do60,  Mus.  Siuiths.,  Orizaba,  Mexico,  Botteri. 


1 


!  ■  >' 


1 


li! 


!' 


jf 


238 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


cast,  aad  between  tbe  shoulders  a  small  irregular  blrck  spot 
appears,  leading  to  tbe  supposition  tbat  tbe  wbite  dorsal  area 
in  this  species  is  liable  to  tbe  same  variations  tbat  are  known 
to  exist  in  otber  specie  s.  In  addition  to  tbis  general  white  area, 
a  slight  wbite  lateral  stripe  starts  independently  over  each 
shoulder  and  is  continued  for  a  little  distance  along  tbe  sides — 
in  this  specimen  fuii<her  on  one  side  than  on  tbe  other.  The 
frontal  streak  is  short  and  slight.  There  is  a  white  area 
on  the  breast  between  the  fore  legs,  prolonged  backward  as  a 
streak — it  is  probably  not  constant,  but  then  I  have  never  seen 
any  wbite  on  the  under  surface  of  M.  mephitica!  (compare 
expression  in  Linnseus's  diagnosis  of  his  Viverra  memphitia  of  the 
lOtb  edition— "»M6tw«  ex  albo  et  nigro  variegatus").  Tbe  tail 
is  entirely  and  intimately  mixed  black  and  white — viewed  from 
below,  we  see  chiefly  hairs  pure  white  at  base  and  black  at  end, 
from  above,  mixed  white  and  black-and-white  hairs,  {)roducing  a 
grizzled  gray  cast,  and  in  direct  continuation  of  the  dorsal  stripe. 
(This  is  exactly  as  given  by  Lichtenstein ;  Gray's  description 
gi^es  the  tail  as  black ;  the  variation  is  thus  seen  to  be  as  in 
tboi  allied  species.) 

The  dimensions  of  a  dried  but  fairly  well-stuffed  specimen 
are  as  follows :  Nose  to  root  of  tail  about  13  inches  (Lichten- 
stein says  14) ;  tail-vertebrte  nearly  the  same,  but  rather  less 
(13  inches — Licht.),  the  hairs  in  this  instance  under  three  inches 
longer  (5  inches — Licht.).  Fore  foot  2  inches,  of  which  the 
longest  claw  is  0.65 ;  hind  foot  2.25. 

This  species  was  supposed  (but  erroneously  as  far  as  known) 
to  inhabit  the  United  States  by  Audubon  and  Bachman  and  by 
Woodhouse,  the  animal  described  by  these  authors  being  simply 
the  common  M.  mephitica  under  one  of  its  interminable  color- 
variations.  ; 


The  Subgenus  &r>ILOGALE.    (Gray.) 

The  characters  of  this  subgenus  having  been  indicated  on  a 
preceding  page  (p.  192),  we  may  at  once  proceed  to  consider 
the  single  known  species. 


.'-       ,  ■*•»  t 


SYNONYMY   OF   MEPHITIS   PUTOKIUS.  239 


The  Little  Striped  Skiinii.    ; 

Mephitis  (Siillogale)  pntorlns.  (L.)  'ly  '■''•'' 

Plates  XII,  XIII.  XIV. 

Vlverra  putoriUS,  L.  &  N.  I.  lOth  ed.  1758,  44,  no.  3 ;  1. 1766, 64,  no.  4  (partly.  Baaed  primarily 
upon  Putiirius  atneriranug  striatus,  Catesb.  Car.  ii.  1731,  63,  pi.  6'i-    Quota's  also  Kalm, ' 
Itlu.  ii.  378.    Includes  syns.  and  descr.  of  T.  memphitis  of  10th  ed.    DiaRnosis  agrees 
sufficiently  with  Spilogale ;  general  bearing  rather  upon  MephitU  mephitiea).—Qm. 
S.  N.  i.  1788, 87,  no.  4  (partly). 

Rpllogale  piitorlUH,  Couet,  Bull.  U.  S.  Geol.  and  Geogr.  Surv.  Terr.  2d  ser.  no.  1,  1875,  p.  12 
(skull  and  teeth). 

MephltiN  Interrupta,  i?a^.  Ann.  Xat.  1818, 3,  no.  4  ("Lonisiana ").— Z««».  Man.  1827, 152,  no. 
ill.— Griff.  An.  Kingd.  v.  1827, 1'JQ,  no.  35f>r.— Finch.  Syn.  1829,  \6i.—Licht.  Abh.  Akad. 
Wiss.  Berl.  1836  (1838),  2t3,  pi.  2,  f.  l.—Schim,  Syn.  i.  1844,  325,  no.  16.  (All  after  liaji- 
neiique.) 

Rpilogale  interrupta.  Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1P65, 150;  Cat  Cam.  Br.  Mus.  ISfiO,  — . 

Mephitis  birolor.  Gray,  Mag.  N.  H.  i.  1837,  581.— Botrd,  M.  X. A.  1857,  l9^.—^arker,  Am.  Nat 
iv.  1870,  376 ;  iv.  1871, 761  (Iowa,  and  probably  New  York).— 4  Uen,  Bull.  M.  0.  Z.  ii.  1871, 
169  (Florida,  common).— Jlferr.  U.  S.  Geol.  Saw.  Terr.  1872, 662  (Idaho). 

Mephitis  zorilla,  LicKt.  Abh  Akad.  Wiss.  Beriin,  1836  (pub.  1838),  pi.  2,  f.  2  (not  of  Licht., 
Darst.  pi.  48,  f.  2,  which  is  an  African  species— whether  the  Zurille  of  Bnft".,  xiii.  1765, 
302,  pi.  41  ? }  }.—  \ragn.  Suppl.  Schreber,  ii.  1841, 199,  pi.  IZi.—Schinz,  Syn.  i.  1844, 325,  na 
15.— And.  <fi  Bach.  Q.  N.  A.  iii.  1854, 276  (tab.  nulla). 

Mephitis  amerirana  var.  R.,  Desm.  Mamm.  i.  1820, 187  (=  interrupta  Raf). 

Mephitis  quaterliHearls,'  E.  IT.  Winans,  writing  from  Williamsport,  Kaus.,  in  a  (Kansas?) 
newHpa|)eT,  name  unknown,  date  18.59.* 

*My  eudeavurs  to  couiplete  the  reference,  and  thus  place  the  synouyui 
properly  on  record,  have  been  unavailing.  The  newspaper  clipping  which 
came  into  my  possession  does  not  include  even  the  name  of  the  paper — 
nothing  but  ii  date,  "  1859",  in  MS.,  which  I  recognize  as  that  of  Prof.  Baird, 
who,  however,  has  no  recollection  of  the  source  of  the  clip.  The  following 
is  the  article  in  full,  with  typography  copied  as  closely  as  possible : — 

"Mephitis  Quaterlinearis.— Win.— Four>striped  Skunk. 

"dental  FORM  ALA.  .     . 

"  Incisive  6-6 ;  Canine  1-1— l-l ;  Molar  4-4—5-5  =  34. 

"  From  point  of  nose  to  end  of  tail,  vertebrae,  S2j^  inches. 

"  From  heel  to  top  of  shoulder,  4^. 

"  Length  of  hair  in  end  of  tail,  .  ^ 

"  Middle  toe  nail,  {. 

"  General  color,  pure  black ;  a  spot  of  white  on  either  side  of  the  bead  be- 
tween the  eye  and  ear,  another  between  the  eyes,  making  three  on  the  bead. 
Four  parallel  lines  of  wliite  about  one  fourth  of  an  inch  in  breadth  and  three- 
fourths  of  an  inch  apart,  have  their  origon  about  the  posterior  part  of  the 
head,  the  two  upper  originally  on  either  side  of  the  occiput,  while  the  two 
lower  have  their  commencement  behind  and  at  the  lower  part  of  each  ear, 
all  of  which  are  carried  directly  backward  to  the  posterior  ribs,  where  the 
lower  lines  terminate  and  the  upper  curving  downward  and  forward  then 
rather  ascend  to  the  hind  part  of  the  shoulder  where  they  descend  one  inch 
to  the  elbow  joint.  A  transverse  band  of  white  crosses  the  fore  part  of  the 
hips  with  an  interruption  of  one  inch  at  the  side  of  the  back.    A  spot  of 


m 


I 


lill! 


ij     1 


'      Ml! 


t 


240 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


f  f  f  MepbltiN  myotlH,  Fiseh.  Syn.  1829,  162  (baoedon  lietepiiante,  Da  Pratz,  Lonla.  ii.  97,  flg. 

(not  identiflable,  but  very  likely  belonging  here). 
Little  Striped  Skunk,  Auf/iorj. 
Moufette  Intcrrompue,  Less.  l.e. 
Stinkthler  mit  unterbrochenen  Blnden,  iSTeMnz,  {.  e. 

Hah. — United  States,  southerly.  Carolina,  Georgia,  Florida.  Iowa,  Kan- 
sas, Wyoming,  Idaho,  Colorado.  Washington  Territory.  Southwestern 
States  and  Territories.    Cape  St.  Lucas,    (f  New  York.) 

Specific  charactkrs. — Black  or  blackish,  with  numerous  white  stripes 
aud  spotp,  and  tail  white-tipped.  Small;  a  foot  or  less  long;  tail  (with 
1  airs)  obviously  shorter  than  the  body. 


I! 


Description  of  external  characters.* 

This  animal  is  the  smallest  of  the  American  species,  as 
fully  indicated  by  the  measurements  given  beyond.  In  form, 
it  agrees  closely  with  the  common  species,  excepting  in  the 
shortness  of  the  tail,  in  which  there  is  a  decided  approach  to 
Conepatus.  The  tail- vertebrae  are  considerably  less  than  half 
as  long  as  the  head  aud  body,  the  tail  with  its  hairs  being 
obviously  less  than  the  length  of  the  head  and  body,  although 
this  member  is  full  and  bushy.  The  pelage  differs  from  that 
of  M.  mephitica  in  being  notably  finer,  softer,  and  closer.  In 
other  respects  of  external  form,  the  species  agrees  closely  with 
M.  mephitica — so  closely  that  further  details  are  not  required. 

white  on  the  upper  part  of  each  thigh  ;  one  on  either  side  of  the  root  of  the 
tail;  and  a  tuft  of  white  hair  arises  from  the  tip  of  the  tail;  nose  covered 
with  short  hair  which  is  naked.  More  or  less  fur  is  interspersed  with  the 
long  hair  to  the  extremity  of  the  tail  differing  in  respect  from  the  common 
American  Skunk  (Mephitis  Chinga);  and,  also  in  being  less  in  size  and 
weight  and  having  a  finer  and  denser  pelage  differently  striped  and  spotted 
and  being  of  a  more  slendor  form.  Its  habits,  so  far  as  they  are  known, 
agree  with  those  of  the  last  named  species. 

"  Its  geographical  distribution  is  not  yet  determined  the  specimens  which 
I  have  examined  were  obtained  in  Kansas  and  vary  in  their  markings  as  oth- 
ers of  the  genus.  The  abovo  specimen  was  a  male  taken  on  the  16th  of  Dec, 
1858,  excessively  poor  and  weighed  only  one  pound  three  ounces  avoirdupois. 

"/Another  malespecimen  which  I  examined  weighed  two  pounds;  his  meas- 
nremeuts  being  rather  less  thau  the  above ;  his  markings  were  similar  ex- 
cepting they  were  hner.  The  three  white  spots  about  the  head  and  the  tuft 
of  white  hair  in  the  end  of  the  tail  do  not  appear  to  be  subject  to  any  varia- 
tion. The  female  differs  from  the  male  in  being  smaller. — After  a  careful  in- 
vestigation I  DOW  venture  to  introdace  this  u  amiual  as  here-to-fore  being  a 
nondescript. 

"EDGAR  W.  WINANS. 

"  Williamsport,  Shawnee  Co.,  K.  T." 

*  From  No.  11£  '  Mus.  Smiths.  last.^  Fonntaiu,  Colorado,  C.  E.  Aiken. 


^mn 


DESCRIPTION   OF   MEPHITIS   PUTORIUS. 


241 


lu  color,  this  animal  is  black  or  blackish,  relieved  with  white, 
like  the  other  species.  But  the  number  and  disposition  of  the 
markings  are  peculiar,  affording  specific  characters  in  spite  of 
an  almost  endless  diversity  in  detail  of  the  numerous  white 
spots  and  stripes  by  which  it  is  superficially  distinguished  from 
all  its  allies.  The  fantastic  harlequin-liko  coloratiou  is  scarcely 
duplicated  in  any  two  specimetfs;  in  fact,  the  opposite  sides  of 
the  same  specimen  show  sometimes  an  appreciably  different 
pattern.  The  markings  are  difficult  of  adequate  expression  in 
words  that  shall  cover  all  their  modifications;  and  those  of  the 
same  specimen  might  easily  be  described  in  such  different  ways 
as  to  convey  an  impression  of  distinct  species — as  indeed  has 
been  done.  The  following  formula,  drawn  from  the  most  com- 
monly observed  state  of  the  markings,  probably  covers  most 
cases : — 

Black.  A  white  spot  on  forehead  between  eyes.  A  white 
spot  on  each  cheek  in  front  of  ear  more  or  less  confluent  with 
a  white  stripe  which  starts  behind  the  ear.  Indefinite  white 
touches  on  chin  and  about  angle  of  mouth.  Four  parallel  equi- 
distant white  stripes  on  fore  part  of  body  above,  beginning  op- 
posite the  ears;  the  lower,  lateral  or  external  pair  of  these  end- 
ing back  of  the  shoulder,  the  median  pair  curving  around  the 
end  of  the  lateral  pair,  downward  and  then  forward  to  the  fore 
leg.  A  white  stripe  transversely  across  the  flanks,  broken  in 
two  by  an  interruption  on  the  median  line  of  the  back.  A  pair 
of  white  spots  on  the  middle  of  the  back  Just  in  advance  of  the 
last  named  stripe.  A  white  spot  over  each  hip.  A  pair  of  white 
spots  at  base  of  tail.    A  white  tuft  at  end  of  tail. 

The  notorious  inconstancy  of  the  white  markings  of  Skunks, 
even  of  those  in  which  the  pattern  is  normally  simplest,  find) 
room  for  exaggeration  in  the  highest  degree  in  this  case  where 
the  normal  markings  are  numerous  and  complicated.  In  some 
cases,  owing  to  interruption  of  the  usual  stripes,  I  have  counted 
DO  less  than  eighteen  separate  white  marks,  exclusive  of  tail- 
tip  and  the  vague  chin-spots.  The  three  head-spots  and  the 
four  parallel  dorsal  stripes  on  the  anterior  part  of  the  body  are 
the  most  constant,  and  may,  so  far  as  I  have  seen,  be  always 
traced,  though  the  median  pair  of  stripes  are  liable  to  ulight 
interruption.  The  lateral  pair  are  the  firmest  of  all  the  mark- 
ings. There  is  special  liability  to  a  break  in  these  stripes  where 
they  begin  to  curve  downward  on  the  side.  Complete  break 
here,  fusion  of  the  solitary  pair  of  dorsal  spots  with  the  trans- 
10  M 


Ki 


■■\::i.' 


!      ■ 

I) 

■  i  Mil 

.•■1 
.   ;   ■  .,,vl 

■     "           'l 

1 : ; 

!M.  If 

m 
m 


242 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


Eli 


I   - 


verse  flank  stripe,  and  lengthening  into  a  stripe  of  the  hip-spot, 
result  in  three  vertical  crescentie  stripes  succeeding  each  other 
behind  the  end  of  the  main  lateral  stripe,  that  runs  from  the  ear 
over  the  shoulder.  Interruption  of  these  transverse  crescents 
may  give  a  set  of  numerous  spots,  without  traceable  stripes,  on 
the  hinder  half  of  the  body ;  indeed,  the  markings  of  this  part  of 
the  body  are  wholly  indefinite.  The  lateral  spots  at  the  root  of 
the  tail  often  fuse  into  one.  The  tail  is  ordinarily  black  with 
definite  white  tip,  but  may  have  white  hairs  mixed  with  the 
black  throughout,  or  be  all  black  or  all  white.  The  slioulder- 
stripe  sometimes  sends  short  spurs  around  toward  the  throat 
and  breast.  The  chin  and  upper  throat  may  be  perfectly  black, 
or  streaked  throughout  with  white.  The  part  of  the  ear  corre- 
sponding to  the  white  markings  about  it  is  commonly  light- 
colored  ;  the  rest  of  the  ear  is  black.  The  naked  muffle  is 
dark-colored.    The  claws  are  dull  horn-color. 

The  black  of  this  animal  is  generally  quite  pure  and  glossy 
on  every  part;  but  sometimes  it  has  a  brownish  tinge,  espe- 
cially notable  in  old  museum  specimens. 

In  this  connection,  the  reader  will  refer,  if  he  is  snflBciently 
interested  to  do  so,  to  Plate  XII,  on  which  is  a  wood-engraving 
of  a  photograph  of  two  skins,  showing  the  complicated  mark- 
ings very  clearly. 

Description  of  the  shull  and  teeth. 

Numerous  specimens  before  me,  labelled  "Incolor^^  and  "zo- 
r/Wa",  exhibit  surprising  variation  in  size  and  shape,  without, 
however,  warranting  presumption  that  they  are  not  all  of  the 
same  species.  Independently  of  the  usual  differences  accord- 
ing to  age,  there  is  a  remarkable  range  of  variation  in  the 
width  and  depression  of  the  skull  behind  and  development  of 
the  occipital  crest.  An  average  specimen  is  selected  for  de- 
scription, in  which  the  range  of  variation  will  be  also  noted. 
Comparative  expressions  used  have  reference  to  the  skull  of 
Mephitis  mephitica. 

The  skull  is  smaller  than  that  of  mephitica;  excepting  one 
abnormally  large  example,  all  are  much  less  in  every  dimension 
than  the  smallest  (adult)  skulls  of  mephitica  which  I  have  seen. 
Viewed  from  above,  the  muzzle  appears  more  tapering,  if  not 
also  relatively  shorter;  the  angle  of  obliquity  of  truncation  of 
the  nasal  orifice  is  much  the  same.  Supraorbital  processes  are 
small,  but  well  defined,  as  acute  eminences,  prolonged  from 


CRANIAL   CHARACTERS   OP   MEPHITIS   PUTORIUS.    243 

well-defined  ridges  of  bone  divaricating  from  the  sagittal  crest. 
This  crest  is  a  single  and  acute  ridge  in  adnlt  skulls;  in  young 
ones,  it  is  a  tablet  of  bono,  the  sides  of  which  separate  almost 
at  once  from  the  occipital  protube'ance.  There  is  little  post- 
orbital  constriction  of  the  skulls  the  least  width  there  bein  g 
little,  if  any,  less  than  the  interorbital  width.  The  lateral 
divergence  of  the  zygomata  is  much  us  in  the  last  species;  but 
their  upward  convexity  is  usually  greater,  and  the  summit  of  the 
arch  is  at  its  middle.  Behind,  the  skull  is  notably  widened 
and  flattened,  almost  as  in  Taxidea,  the  intermastoid  diameter 
being  relatively  much  greater  than  it  is  in  either  Conepatus  or 
Mephitis;  in  fact,  it  is  not  very  much  less  than  the  interzygo- 
matic  width,  in  some  cases  at  least.  Nevertheless,  the  mastoid 
processes  are  themselves  less  developed  than  in  Mephitis  proper, 
extending  little,  if  any,  beyond  the  orifice  of  the  meatus,  instead 
of  flaring  widely  outward.  The  occipital  crest  is  strongly  de- 
veloped, and  its  outline  is  characteristic  in  the  great  convexity 
of  contour  on  each  side  and  deep  median  emargination ;  in  other 
genera,  the  median  emargination  is  always  slight,  sometimes 
nil;  and  the  lateral  outline  from  the  mastoid  to  the  point  whore 
the  supraoccipital  bones  leave  the  general  occipital  crest  is 
about  straight — if  anything,  concave. 

A  notable  peculiarity  appears  in  the  profile  view  of  the  skull. 
The  dorsal  outline  in  Mephitis  mephitica  is  strongly  convex,  with 
a  high  point  about  the  middle,  and  this  is  carried  to  an  extreme 
in  M,  frontata ;  in  the  present  case,  the  same  outline  is  nearly 
straight  from  the  ends  of  the  nasals  to  near  the  occipital  pro- 
tuberance ;  in  fact,  the  skull  ift  as  flat  on  top  as  an  Otter's,  and 
flatter  than  a  Badger's.  The  zygomata  are  strongly  arched 
upward,  with  a  regular  curve  throughout,  instead  of  being 
highest  behind;  the  prominence  of  the  bulla  ossea  on  the  floor 
of  the  skull  is  sufficient  to  bring  this  part  fairly  into  view  from 
the  side,  as  is  scarcely  the  case  in  M.  mephitica;  this  feature  is 
also  due,  in  part,  to  an  abbreviation  of  the  mastoid  process, 
which  is  hardly  at  all  produced  downward.  , 

On  the  floor  of  the  skull,  the  principal  feature  is  the  width 
behind,  which,  being  simply  coordinate  with  the  general  lateral 
dilatation  already  noticed,  requires  no  further  comment.  The 
paroccipitals  are  very  small — in  fact,  mere  nibs  of  bone,  hardly 
able  to  bear  the  term  '^  process".  There  are  also  strong  points 
in  connection  with  the  bullee  auditoria>  and  periotic  region  gen- 
erally.   The  bullsB  are  not  only  more  swollen  at  the  usual  point 


U' 


i^j 


''t' 
I' 


1       i' 


n 

't 
,  i  li 


I  ill  If, 


1/ 


244 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


of  greatest  iiifliitioii,  but,  behind  them,  the  part  that  reaches 
between  the  lateral  elements  of  the  occipital  bone  and  the 
lateral  portion  of  the  lambdoidal  crest  is  also  turgid,  having  a 
general  smooth  convexity  instead  of  an  irregular  concavity. 
The  general  turgescence  is  due  to  the  greater  development  of 
the  mastoid  sinuses.  The  bony  palate  ends  in  the  same  rela- 
tive position  as  in  M.  mephitica,  and  shows  the  same  variation 
in  the  character  of  the  edge  of  this  shelf. 

The  mandible,  though,  of  course,  proportionally  smaller  than 
in  M.  mephitica,  is  identical  in  shape,  contrasting  equally  well 
with  the  peculiarities  of  Gonepatm,  elsewhere  mentioned. 

The  smaller  size  aside,  there  is  scarcely  anything  in  the 
dentition  of  this  species  calling  for  comment  in  comparison 
with  Mephitis.  The  anterior  premolar  is  well  developed,  and, 
as  far  as  I  can  see,  the  dentition  is,  in  other  respects,  nearly 
identical  with  that  of  Mephitis;  the  upper  sectorial  tooth  (pos- 
terior premolar),  however,  has  the  cusp  of  its  inner  moiety 
rather  a  pointed  process  of  the  border  itself  than  a  conical 
cusp,  surmounting  this  inner  part. 

It  should  be  noted  that  in  one  specimen,  as  an  abnormality, 

the  anterior  upper  premolar  has  aborted  entirely  on  the  right 

side,  though  present  ou  the  left;  while  the  lower  jaw  of  the 

same  specimen  shows  an  abortive  posterior  i^remolar  on  the 

left  side.     But,  in  general,  in  Mephitinw,  abortion  or  other 

irreguliirities  of  dentition  are  less  frequent  than  in  the  Muste- 

linWf  where  the  smaller  teeth  are  more  crowded. 

-  ■(;;.    \''^'      ■  >  ■■,'.  ■  ■  ■'■   ,-•-'.. 

„  rr.;|.  I ,,,    ...     History  of  the  species.         .^    ,     .    ... 

In  the  case  of  an  animal  whose  markings  are  so  variable  as 
those  of  the  Striped  Skunk,  recognition  of  the  species  in  nature 
becomes  a  matter  requiring  some  judgment  and  experience ; 
and  it  is  not  in  the  least  remarkable  that  compilers  of  vague 
and  often  conflicting  descriptions,  or  of  inaccurate  figures 
badly  drawn  from  stuffed  specimens,  or  oven  prepared  from 
poor  descriptions,  should  have  made  inextricable  confusion.  In 
an  attempt  to  trace  the  written  history  o(  Mephitis putorius,  it  is 
probably  not  possible  to  identify  all  the  names  which  have  been 
imposed  upon  it,  nor  even  to  fix  the  date  of  its  first  appearance 
in  literature.  It  is  certain,  however,  that  the  animal  was  known 
to  the  earlier  writers ;  its  characters  being  clearly  traceable  in 
some  of  the  descriptions  of  the  last  century,  long  before  the 
period  when  Rafinesque  and  Gray  respectively  bestowed  those 


HISTOUY   OF   THE   LITTLE   STRIPED    SKUNK. 


245 


names  which  have  become  most  extensively  current.  Referring 
to  the  above  synonymatic  list  as  a  renund  of  the  views  enter- 
tained concerning  the  record  of  the  species,  some  points  of 
special  pertinence  to  M,  putorins  may  be  here  noticed. 

Le  Zorille  of  Buffon  (Biat.  Nat.  xiii.  1765,  pp.  289, 302,  pi.  41) 
is  a  starting-point  of  a  number  of  compilations,  as  at  the  hands 
of  Erxleben,  Gmelin,  Shaw,  and  others ;  it  does  not  reappear 
in  Linnieus,  who  carried  his  grudge  against  his  French  rival  so 
far  as  to  ignore  him  in  the  "Systema  Naturre'',  thereby  hurting 
only  the  book.  It  is  described  from  South  America,  and  is  to  be 
carefully  distinguished  from  an  African  species,  of  an  entirely 
different  group,  also  called  Zorilla.  Descriptions  of  a  Vimrra 
or  Mephitis  zorilla  agree  substantially  in  points  of  small  size 
and  much  variegation  with  white ;  and  thus,  perhaps  without 
exception,  bear  hard  upon  the  present  species,  if  tliey  may  not 
actually  represent  it.  In  many  cases,  however,  the  accounts  are 
complicated  or  negatived  by  introduction  among  the  synonyms 
of  some  names  which  apparently  appertain  to  Gonepatua^  or  to 
Mephitis  proper.  Whether  or  not  we  agree  with  Prof.  Lichten- 
stein  that  Buffon's  Zorille  was  this  species,  various  indications 
of  Yiverra  zorilla  which  flow  from  it  cannot  be  satisfactorily 
and  exclusively  located  here,  and  are  to  be  passed  over.  They 
are,  in  effect,  as  they  stand  upon  the  pages^  compounds  which 
have  no  actual  existence  in  nature.  .  *     ■ 

The  Pol  cat  of  Catesby,  as  above  quoted,  described  with  five 
narrow  white  lines,  is  a  species  which  authors  have  found  it 
difficult  to  locate,  as  the  Oomtuon  Skunk,  M.  mephitica^  the  only 
one  supposed  to  inhabit  Carolina,  presents  no  such  character. 
But  since  the  discovery  of  the  existence,  in  this  portion  of  the 
United  States,  of  a  Spilogale,  which  is  the  only  species  having 
several  white  lines,  the  pertinence  of  Oatesby's  reference  here 
is  evident.  Catesby  is  primarily  the  basis  of  Viverra  putorius, 
the  only  species  of  Skunk  in  the  12th  edition  of  Linnseus;  and 
LinnsBUs's  diagnosis  '^F.  fusca  lineis  quatuor  dorsalibus  nlhis 
parallelis^^  is  exactly  and  exclusively  pertinent  to  the  present 
species,  which  is,  moreover,  the  only  animal  that  presents  this 
character.  The  four  white  stripes  upon  the  anterior  half  of 
the  body  are  its  strong  and  coustant  character.  It  is  true  that 
the  remainder  of  Linuiieus's  account  does  not  agree  well,  but 
neither  does  it  agree  with  any  Skunk  known  to  me  (''  subtus 
ex  albo  et  nigro  variegatus^^  &c.) ;  and  he  also  cites  some  refer- 
ences that  probably  belong  elsewhere.    In  adopting  the  name 


'rl 


f ..-;  ^ 

'B9 

'H 

■     j 

;fl 

i    '  i  1 

jH 

>  ■      ,    * '  i 

1 

1 

1 

1 

246 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELIDiE. 


hi 


8.  putoritia  from  LIddsbus,  as  I  recently  did  {I.  s.  o.),  1  rested 
upon  the  exclusive  pertiueuce  of  his  diaguosis,  and  his  quota- 
tion of  Catesby. 

The  Mephitis  interrupta  of  pafinesque  may  or  may  not  have 
been  "a  pure  figment  of  his  imagination".  It  probably,  how- 
ever, had  some  basis,  and  if  his  account  does  not  wholly  agree 
with  specimens  of  Spilogale  putorius  examined,  it  will  be  re- 
membered that  even  his  elastic  imagination  would  be  put  to 
the  stretch  to  describe  a  spotted  and  striped  Skunk  in  terms 
too  exaggerated  to  be  met  by  the  reality  which  this  species 
offers.  We  may  accept  his  name  as  undoubtedly  belonging 
here,  and  in  fact  we  should  adopt  it,  as  a  more  definite  appella- 
tion than  zorilla,  were  it  not  anticipated  by  Linnajus,  as  just 
shown. 

Among  earlier  accounts,  the  best  description  I  have  seen  is 
that  presented  by  Shaw,  page  389,  vol.  i.  of  the  General  Zool- 
ogy under  head  of  "  var."  of  his  Striated  Weesel.  Shaw  refers 
*:■■  )me  miscellaneous  plates  of  animals  published  a  short  time 
previously  by  Mr.  Catton,  among  which  is  a  representation  of 
an  animal  "  having  only  four  white  bands  on  the  back,  and  the 
tail  almost  entirely  white ;  a  patch  of  white  appears  below  each 
ear,  and  a  small  triangular  white  spot  on  the  forehead.  In  the 
description  accompanying  the  plate  the  animal  is  said  to  have 
measured  twelve  inches  from  nose  to  tail,  and  to  have  been 
brought  from  Bengal."  The  probably  erroneous  locality  aside, 
the  whole  account  is  perfectly,  and  indeed  exclusively,  pertinent 
to  Spilogale  putorius. 

In  Du  Pratz's  Louisiana,  there  is  a  description  of  a  "  bete 
puante",  which  certainly  conforms  to  no  known  species,  but 
which  was  probably  meant  to  be  this  one,  to  judge  from  the 
locality  and  the  ascribed  size.  It  is  the  basis  of  Mephitis  myotis 
Fischer,  I.  c. 

In  1837,  Dr.  J.  E.  Gray  bestowed  upon  this  species  the  name 
of  M.bicolor,  by  which  it  has  been  generally  known  of  late  years. 
About  the  same  time,  Lichtenstein  adopted  the  name  of  M. 
zorilla,  after  Buffon,  in  which  he  was  followed  by  Wagner  and 
Audubon.  Lich  ten  stein's  earlier  M.  zorilla,  of  the  Darstellun- 
gen  neuer  Saugethiere,  u.  s.  w.,  is  ihe  entirely  different  African 
animal. 

The  only  description  I  have  seen  in  which /oMr  white  lines  are 
prominently  indicated  since  those  of  Linnaeus  and  Shaw  is  an 
account  given  in  1859,  when  a  certain  Mephitis  quaterlinearis 


HABITS   OF   THE    LITTLE   STRIPED  SKUNK. 


247 


was  formally  named  and  dei^cribed  in  a  Kansas  (?)  newspaper,  as 
above  quoted.  It  is  singular  that  upward  of  a  century  inter- 
vened between  these  two  curiously  concordant  accounts.  Mr. 
Winans's  description  is  accurate  in  the  minutest  particulars ; 
it  was  evidently  taken  from  a  specimen  exactly  like  some  of 
those  now  before  me. 


! 


,  jit 

is  I! 


Geographical  distribution  and  habits. 

The  geographical  distribution  of  this  species  is  much  more 
extensive  than  has  been  generally  supposed.  Thus,  Prof.  Bainl, 
in  1S57,  gave  its  habitat  as  merely  "Southern  Texas  and  Cali- 
fornia", and  the  indications  of  most  authors  are  of  a  western 
and  southwestern  animal.  But  there  is  no  doubt  now  of  its 
inhabiting  the  greater  part  of  the  Southern  States,  aud  of  the 
United  States  west  of  the  Mississippi.  I  have  examined  speci- 
mens from  Georgia  and  Florida,  in  which  last  State  Mr.  Allen 
considers  it  common,  from  various  portions  of  the  West,  and 
from  Cape  St.  Lucas.  Mr.  H.  W.  Parker,  in  his  notes  in  the 
American  Naturalist,  as  above  quoted,  records  the  species  from 
Iowa,  where  at  least  fifty  pelts  were  obtained  one  season,  near 
Des  Moines,  and  as  probably  occurring  in  the  State  of  New 
York: — " There  is  reason  to  believe  that  the  species  may  be 
found  even  in  central  New  York.  Dr.  S.  J.  Parker,  of  Ithaca, 
N.  Y.,  has  twice  seen  by  the  roadside,  in  that  region,  a  small, 
many-striped  skunk,  very  different  from  the  common  one." 

Respecting  the  habits  of  the  species,  I  have  no  information  to 
offer.  It  is  not  to  be  presumed  that  it  differs  materially  from 
the  common  species  in  this  regard.  Mr.  Maynard  has  stated 
that  in  Florida  the  animals  are  domesticated  and  used  like  cats, 
the  scent-glands  being  removed  at  an  early  age ;  they  become 
quite  tame  and  efficient  in  destroying  the  mice  {Rvsperomya) 
that  infest  the  houses. 

The  different  species  of  Skunks,  in  fact,  seem  to  be  suscep- 
tible of  ready  semi-domestication,  in  which  state  they  are,  like 
the  Fitch  ot  Ferret,  useful  in  destroying  vermin,  if  they  do  not 
also  make  agreeable  pets.  Writers  speak  of  the  removal  of  the 
anal  glands  in  early  life,  to  the  better  adaptation  of  the  ani- 
mals to  human  society,  and  such  would  appear  to  be  an  emi- 
nently judicious  procedure.  For,  though  Skunks  may  habitu- 
ally spare  their  favors  when  accustomed  to  the  presence  of  man, 
yet  I  should  think  that  their  companionship  would  give  rise  to 


'■■'.:\i\ 


248 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


a  certain  sense  of  insecurity,  unfavorable  to  peace  of  mind. 
To  depend  upon  the  good  will  of  so  irritable  and  so  formidable 
a  beast,  whose  temper  may  be  ruMed  in  a  moment,  is  hazard- 
ous— like  the  enjoyment  of  a  cigar  in  a  powder-magazine. 

^  The  Genus  CONEPATUS.    (Gray.) 

X  VIrerrii  sp^  Gulo  »p.,  of  some  authors. 

<  MrphUlN  uf  most  aiithorti. 

<  MarpulluM,  O'-at/,  Charleaw.HaK-N.  B.i,  tS-Tr,  sat.  '     ' 
=  €»nepatUN,6Va;/,  Cbarlenw.  Mag.  X.  H.  i.  1837,  5tit. 

>=  TtaiOHmUN,  Lichteustevn,  Abh.  Akod.  Berl.  for  le36,  1838. 

The  very  well-marked  characters  of  this  genus  have  already 
been  given  (p.  192).  The  pecnliarities  of  the  skull  and  teeth  are 
correlated  with  certain  modifications  of  external  contour,  which 
give  the  animal  a  somewhat  Badger-like  aspect,  though  there  is 
no  mistaking  it  for  anything  but  a  Skunk.  It  is  the  only  known 
representative  of  the  subfamily  in  South  America. 

I  have  not  been  able  to  examine  any  specimens  of  this  genus 
from  other  than  United  States  and  Mexican  localities,  represent- 
ing in  strictness  the  Mephitis  {Thiosmus)  mesoleucm  of  Lichten- 
stein  and  late  American  writers,  the  iewcouofMsof  Lichtenstein, 
and  the  M.  nasuta  of  Bennett.  The  synonymatic  list  given 
beyond  must  be  regarded  as  somewhat  tentative  or  presump- 
tive, indicating  tliat  I  see  nothing  in  the  deaeriptions  of  authors 
forbidding  the  supposition  that  the  seemingly  interminable  list 
of  nominal  species  really  refers  to  more  than  a  single  good  one. 
In  adopting  a  name  for  the  "Conepatl'*,  I  simply  take  the  oldest 
one  I  find.  Should  there  prove  to  be  more  than  one  species  of 
this  genus  included  in  the  synonyms  given,  my  article  is  to  be 
held  to  refer  solely  to  that  one  which  occurs  in  Mexico  and  the 
southwestern  portion  of  the  United  States,  and  upon  which  the 
descriptive  matter  herewith  given  is  exclusively  based. 

Nowhere,  perhaps,  in  the  literature  of  mammalogy  have 
greater  confusion  and  uncertainty  prevailed  than  in  that  por- 
tion which  relates  to  the  Skunks,  and  the  history  of  the  Cone- 
patl  is  certainly  not  less  hopelessly  involved  than  that  of  other 
Skunks.  Views  of  authors  have  oscillated  between  such  ex- 
tremes as  those  held  by  Guvier  and  his  imitators,  for  whom  a 
Skunk  was  a  Skunk,  and  those  of  other  persons  for  whom  an 
inch  of  tail  or  a  speck  of  color  was  a  good  specific  character. 
Into  the  tedious  discussion  of  the  names  cited  below  I  do  not 
propose  to  enter,  but  shall  content  myself  with  giving  a  faithful 
description  of  the  United  States  animal. 


SYNONYMY   OP   C0NEPATU8   MAPURITO. 


249 


Gray's  barbarous  term  for  tbis  geniis^  Conepatu8,  is  obviously 
the  same  as  the  old  Mexican  Conepatl.  Of  its  meaning  I  am 
not  certain ;  but  it  probably  refers  to  the  burrowing  of  the  ani- 
]nal ;  for,  it  may  be  observed,  nepantla  in  the  Nahuatl  language 
signified  a  subterranean  dwelling.*  Gray'^  other  generic  name, 
Marputius,  is  similarly  related  to  Mapurito.  This  word  may  be 
compared  with  Mephitis  itself  through  such  forms  as  Maftiti- 
liqiH,  Freuiih  Mou/ette,  &Q.  .*.     .   ,.,.,. 


.bif  ••v>i  .... 


The  Hrhite-backed  §kiink. 

Conepatns  niapnrlto^ 

Plate  XV.      '    •;'•'•'■''•''    "'-'     ■'•  ''r    " 

Vlverra  pntorlOS,  3luti»,  "Act.  Holm,  xxxii.  1760, 68"  (non  Linn). 

Vlverra  mapurito,  Cm.  S.  N.  1.  17f8,  88,  no.  15  {ex  Mutls).— <$/iai«,  G.  Z.  1. 1800,  XH.—Turt.  S. 

N.  i.  1806,  .53. 

Gulo  mapurito,  llumb.  " Roo.  Obn.  Zonl. ,  i.  350". 

MephltlH  mapurito,  Lesn.  Man.  1837. 151,  no.  401.—Ft»eh.  Syn.  1839, 16\.—Schim,  Syn.  {.  1844, 

318,  no.  l.-Licht  Abh.  Ak.  Wiss.  Berlin,  1836  {IS36),  210  {rhwsmu»).—T»ehudi,  Fo. 

Peru.  1844-46, 113.— Oiebel,  Siiiiu.  1:855, 764. 
t'onepatus  mapurito,  Cottes,  Unll.  cr.  S>  Geol.  and  Oeogr.  Snrv.  Terr.  9d  sor.  no.  1,  1875,  14 

(Rkull  and  teeth). 
rVirerramephititt,  Gfm.S.N.  i.  1788, ,— C'CMncAe,  Buff.,  xiii.pl.  39").— 72Vr(on,S.K. 

i.  1806,  S3. 
TiTerra  conepatl,  Gtn.  S.  N.  i.  1788, 88,  no.  13  (Oon«paW,  Hem.,  Mex.  338). 
MephltlH  conepatl,  FUch.  Syn.  1839, 160. 
tMephitlNCliilenslM,  "  Oeo/T.  Cat.  Mus."  (.Mov/ette  du  Chili,  Buff.  H.  K  SuppL  vii.  33.3,  pi. 

57).— Fr.  Ouv.  "Diet.  Sc.  Nat.  xiil,  18—,  136".—"  Oriff.  Anim.  Kingd.  ii. ,  — ,  f.  -."— 

Less.  Man.  1837, 153,  no.  40S.—FUeh.  Syn.  1839,  160.— I^cAt.  Abh.  Ak.  Wisa.  Berlin,  1836 

(1838),378(7'Aio«mu«).— ScAiTW,8yn.  i.  1844,  319,  no.  4.—" Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1848, ,— ."  — 

Oieb.  Saug.  1853,765. 
Marputiuschllensls,  Oray,  "Mag.  KH.  1.1837 '.   •  .     ..;• 

ConepatU»  "chlnensls",  Gerr.  Cat  Boneo  Br.  Mas.  1863, 97  (by  typog.  err.  for  chiletuvi). 

tiulo  quitensi!*,  Humb.  "  Ree.  Oba.  Zool.  i. ,  346  l.or}347 "  {A.tok,  Zorra,  Qloutm  de  Qitito). 

f  Mephitis  quItenNlsXm.  Man.  1837,  153,  no.  WO.—Fiseh.  Syn.  1839,  161.— £icA(.  Abb.  Akad. 

Wiai.  Berlin,  1836  (1838),  373  {thio»mus).—Sch.\m,  Syn.  i.  1844, 319,  no.  4. 
YGHl0  8Ufrocan8»"/U.  Verb.  BerL  Akad.  Wiasenacb.  1811,  109  (Yag\tar6,  Azara,  i.  311.  of 

French  transL—CAificAe,  FeuilUe,  Jonm.Obs.Phy8.  1714, 872)"  (Braziland Paraguay). 
?  Mephitis  SUffocans,  Licht  Darst.  Sb'ng.  1837-34,  pi.  48,  f.  1 ;  Abh.  Akad.  Wiss.  Berlin,  1836 

(f838),  p.—{ThiotmMS).~Seki7ui,  Syn.i.l8i4, 380,  no.5(Thiosr»us).—aieb.S&as.  1855v76Sl 

t;HephitlH  feulllel, ,  "Zool.  de  la  Bonite, ,— ,  pi.  3,  f.  1-3"  {Schim). 

tConepatUH  humhOliUII  et  var.,  Qray,  Mag.  N.  H.  i.  1837,  581;  List  Mamm.  Br.  Mns.  1843, 

m.—Oerrard,  Cat.  Bones  Br.  Mas.  1863, 97. 
r  .Mephitis  humboldtii,  Itlainv.  "Osteog.  Mxistela,  pi.  13,  f.  —  (teeth)". 
f  Mephitis  patagonica,  lAeht  Abb.  Akad.  Wiss.  Bert.  1836(1838),  3*5  {Thiosmm)  ("  Yagxiari, 
Maikd,  Falk.  PaUg.  tiS").—8ehim,  Syn.  i.  1844.  330,  no.  6  {ThiMtntu).—" Burm.  L» 

Plata.  iL ,  400."-Gm6.  Sftug.  1855,. 765.  .;. 

t  .Mnstela  (Lyncodon)  patagonica,  D'  Orb.  "  Voy.  Ani6r.  M6rid." 

f  Mephitis  amazonica,  Lieht  Abh.  Ak.  Wiss.  Berl.  1836  (1838),  2T5(Thiosmtu).—Sehim,  Syn. 

1. 1844, 331,  na  Ti.—Tehudi,  Fn.  Pern,  1844-46, 115. 
TConepatus  amazonica.  Gray.  List  Br.  Mua.  1843, 69. 
f  Mephitis  molinie,  lAeht  Abh.  Akad.  Wiaa.  Berl.  1836(1838),  373  (Thiosmus)  {"Ohinehe. 

Molina,  Hial.  Kat.  Chili,  340")  (Chili).— ScAinz,  Syn.  1844,  .ISl,  no.  8. 

*  Fide  Prof.  G.  liarroeta,  of  Sau  Luis  Putoai,  Mexico,  to  whom  I  appliea  per- 
8oual]y  for  tbia  iuforiuation. 


250 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MITSTELID^E. 


tMephlllNgumlllir,  £<()A(.  Abh.  Ak.  Wisa  Bnrl  ism (IS38)  C  Jlonfelte mnpurita or  Majn- 

taiqui,  Gtiruilla,  OHdooo,  li.  in6").— «oAiru.  Syn.  1. 1844,  »31,  uo.  10. 
MephltiN  meiioleuca, Z.ieA(.  Dant  SUuk-  18:17-34, ,  pi.  44,  f.  8;  Abh.  Akad.  WIm.  Berl.  1636 

(1838), 311,  pi.  1,  f.  1  {Thioimui)  (Chloo,  Mexico).— iraf;n.  Siippl.  Schrxb.  ii.  1841,  IDi), 

pi.  131  X.-ScMm,  Syn.  i.  1844,  319,  no.  X—A.ud.  it  Back.  Q.  X.  A.  it.  1851,  18,  pi.  53.— 

aUb.  Sttag.  1855,  llH.—Baird,  M.  X.  A.  1857,  1U3  (aubg.  Thiotmu»)—Tomei,  P.  Z.  S.  Itltil, 

380  (Ouatoiuala).— Jfoxint.  Aroli.  f.  Naturg.  xxvii,  Idfil,  213. 
ThIosmaH  neHolearii,  Lm».  Kouv.  Tab),  R.  A.  1843. 06. 

ThlosHHR  metiOleucOR,  Ohatin,  Ann.  Scl.  Nat.  5th  ser.  xix.  1874, 100,  pi.  6,  f.  S»-63  (anat.). 
Meptaltiii  leucunota,  Lieht  Darat.  Sttug.  1837-34, ,  pi.  44,  f.  1 ;  Abh.  Akad.  WImm.  Borl.  1836 

(1638),  371  (r/(to«mu<)  (Alvaradu,  Mexico).- /ScAin2,  Syn.  i.  1844,310,  no.  S.-OJfb.Sttng. 

1853,  764.— BatVd,  M.  N.  A.  1857,  'iOO.—Tomet,  P.  Z.  S.  1861, 380  (Quateiuala). 
Mephitis  leucunoU  Intermedia,  D»  Sauit,  R.  M.  Z.  1860, 6. 
MepbltlH  BASUta,  Bennett,  P.  Z.  S.  i.  1833,  3<J  (Califoruia).— <7rai/,  Mag.  N.  H.  i.  1837, 

Fraeer,  Zodl.  Typ.  no.  4,  pi.  — . 
MarputlHH  nattuta.  Gray,  Mag.  N.  H.  1. 1837, 581. 
Thiosmus  nasuta,  Lest.  Nouv.  Tabl.  K.  A.  1843, 66. 
VonepatuN  nasutu,  vars.  naNUta,  humboldtll,  rhlleiiHlH  et  llriitenstelntl,  Gray,  P.  Z.  8. 

1865, 145, 146, 147;  Cat  Cam.  Br.  Mub.  186tf,  — . 
f  T"Mephltltt  caNtaneUM,  D'Orbig.  Voy.  Am6r.  M^rid.  31,  pi.  13, 13,  f.  3."—"  Giebel,  Odontog. 

35,  pi.  13,  f.  7."— fift«b.  Sfiug.  18.55, 765  (Southern  South  America). 
?"HepllltlH  nircata,  irapn.Suppl.  Sohreb.  ii.  1841,  193"  (Chili).— TmA.  Arch.  Katurg.  1843, 

948)  Fn.  Peru.  1844-46, 114  (Peru), 
t  Mephltltt  weHti'rmannI,  Reinh.  Vid.  Selak.  Forb.  1856, 370. 

t Mephitis  amerlcana,  vara.  DT ,  E,  F,  0,  H,  I,  M.f ,  Q,  Desm.  Marom.  i.  1830, 166-167.* 
f  Mephitis  amerlcana,  varg.  a,  d? ,  h,  m,  n,  o,  p,  s,  OriJ,  Au.  Kingd.  v.  1837, 137,  no. 358. 
fMalkcl,  Patagonlan  Malkel,  Gray,!,  c.  i-v    -       "      • 

Hab. — Sonthwestera  border  of  the  United  States  aud  southward  through 
Mexico  aud  Central  and  Sonth  Aiuerica. 

Specific  characters. — Black  or  blackish,  with  a  white  dorsal  area  sonie- 
tiuies  divided  by  a  black  vertebral  stripe,  rarely  broken  into  several  por- 
tions; tail  white,  or  black  and  white.  .  •  ^.^ 

'  Description  c^  external  characters.* 

This  species  differs  materially  from  the  Xorth  Americaa  and 
Mexican  Mephitis  proper,  in  many  points  of  external  anatomy, 
as  well  as  the  more  essential  structural  peculiarities  upon 
which  the  genus  Conepaius  primarily  rests.  These  secondary 
generic  characters  are  the  same,  as  far  as  'mown,  in  all  the 
several  slight  varieties  of  the  (probably)  single  species  which 
represents  the  genus.  The  general  configuration  of  the  body 
and  limbs  is  much  the  same  as  in  Mephitis;  but  the  physiog- 
nomy is  wholly  peculiar,  while  the  short  scrubby  tail,  almost 
rudimentary  ears,  and  a  particular  arrangement  of  the  sole- 
pads,  are  all  highly  characteristic. 

The  Conepate  is  the  largest  of  the  Skunks,  some  specimens 
attaining  a  length  of  about  two  feet,  exclusive  of  the  tail;  but  an 
ordinary  dimension  is  about  a  foot  aud  a  half  from  the  nose  to 

*  From  specimens  from  Texas  and  Mexico,  with  uninterrupted  white 
dorsal  area  and  white  tail. 


DESCRIPTION    OF    CONEPATUS    MAPURITO. 


251 


the  root  of  the  tail.  The  head  ii  more  leugthened  and  nar- 
rowly conical  than  in  Mephitk  The  facial  aspect  is  highly 
characteristic  in  the  production  and  attenuation  of  the  snout 
and  lownesB  of  the  ears.  The  long  snout  is  broad  and  de- 
pressed on  top,  obliquely  truncated  in  front,  with  a  backward 
bevelling,  so  to  si)eak,  which  brings  the  nostrils  anteroinfe- 
rior — they  are  not  at  all  visible  from  above.  The  mu?zle  is 
almost  a  little  retrousse,  and  recalls  that  of  a  Pig  rather  than 
of  a  Weasel  or  Badger.  It  is  furthermore  peculiar  in  being 
entirely  bald  and  callous  on  top  for  nearly  an  inch,  this  ..aked 
part  narrowing  to  a  point  behind.  Underneath,  the  nasal  pad 
is  closely  and  definitely  circumscribed  by  the  line  of  fur  which 
closely  approaches  the  nostrils.  There  is  no  sign,  on  the  front 
of  the  snout,  of  the  usual  vertical  groove,  nor  of  such  a  division 
of  the  hairy  part  thence  to  the  middle  line  of  the  lips.  The 
organ  looks  as  if  it  were  fitted  for  rummaging  among  fallen 
leaves,  or  even  for  "  rooting"  in  the  ground.  The  whole  muzzle 
is  beset  with  sparse  short  bristles,  apparently  growing  irregularly 
in  no  determinate  direction ;  the  longest  moustaches  scarcely 
reach  to  the  eyes.  There  are  similar  bristles  over  the  eyes  and 
on  the  cheeks  and  chin.  The  proper  pelage  of  the  cheeks  and 
snout  is  scanty,  and  it  grows  upward  and  forward  from  the  lips. 

The  external  ears  are  so  slightly  developed  that  they  have 
been  described  as  wanting.  The  pinna  is  a  mere  low  orbicular 
rim  completing  about  two-thirds  of  a  circle,  lower  than  the 
surrounding  fur.  The  entrance  of  the  ear  remains  broadly 
open.  The  eye  is  considerably  nearer  to  the  ear  than  to  t'ue 
end  of  the  snout.  The  mouth  is  wholly  far  inferior,  with  short 
gape ;  it  is  nearly  au  inch  from  the  end  of  the  lips  to  the  ex- 
tremity of  the  snout. 

The  short  and  rather  close-haired  (for  this  group)  tail  is  quite 
different  from  the  long,  full,  bushy  member  in  Mephitis  and 
Spilogale — iu  fact,  it  is  only  superior  in  these  respects  to  the 
stumpy  tail  of  Taxidea.  It  is  difficult  to  estimate  its  relative 
leujjth  accurately,  owing  to  the  character  of  the  base ;  but  the 
vertebras  are  certainly  less  than  half  the  length  of  the  head 
and  body,  and  with  the  hairs  the  whole  member  is  only  about 
half  such  dimension,  more  or  less.  The  terminal  pencil  of  hairs 
is  from  only  about  two  to  four  or  five  inches  in  length,  iu  dif- 
ferent specimens;  the  width  of  the  hairs  in  the  middle,  pressed 
flat  sideways,  is  from  six  to  ten  inches.  The  tail,  especially 
when  white,  or  the  white  portion  of  it  when  black  and  white, 


'  m 


,-    3 

1  :  f 


■  !     !U 


252 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


frequently  presents  a  worn  scrubby  appearance,  as  if  abraded ; 
and  th«  white  tip,  when  »  "ourring  in  connection  with  black, 
may  seem  as  if  imperfectly  connected  with  tho  remaining  por- 
tion. .^:  ere  is  something  very  peculiar  in  the  character  of  the 
white  hairs  of  the  tail  of  this  or  other  Skunks;  it  is  very 
coarse,  stiff,  yet  weak  and  brittle,  almost  like  Antelope  hair,  to 
which  it  has  beeu  aptly  compared;  it  seems  as  if  partiaJy  de- 
vitalized, and  readily  falls  or  breaks  off.  The  same  character 
is  observable  in  the  white  portion  of  those  hairs  which  are 
black  at  the  end.  In  general  shape,  the  tail  is  rather  depressed, 
or  slightly  distichous,  than  uniformly  cylindrical  or  bushy. 

The  soles  of  the  fore  feet  are  perfectly  naked  from  the  wrist- 
joint,  but  overhung  along  the  sides  with  a  fringe  of  long  hairs. 
The  tuberculation  is  not  well  utarked ;  but  at  the  bases  of  the 
digits,  in  advance  of  a  general  broad  bare  area,  two  incom- 
pletely divided  pads  are  observable.  The  fore  claws  are  very 
large,  long,  strong,  compressed,  little  curved,  not  excavated 
underneath,  and  eminently  fossorial.  The  middle  three  claws 
are  of  approximately  the  same  size,  though  they  are  a  little 
graded  in  length  from  fourth  to  second;  the  tifth  is  notably 
smaller,  reaching  to  tue  middle  of  the  fourth ;  the  first  is  much 
shorter  and  more  curved,  reaching  little  beyond  the  base  of  the 
second.    The  terminal  bulbs  of  all  the  toes  are  large. 

The  scles  of  the  hiud  feet,  like  the  palms,  are  perfectly 
naked  from  the  heel  in  all  the  specimens  examined,  fringed 
along  the  side  with  long  hairs.  The  tuberculation  of  the  soles 
is  better  marked  than  that  of  the  palms,  and  somewhat  pecu- 
liar, but  not  to  the  extent  which  Dr.  Gray's  remarks  would 
indicate.  The  general  broad  flat  area  of  the  posterior  part  is 
divided  by  a  transverse  sulcus  ">^  variable  depth  and  distinct- 
ness from  tho  bulbous  part  at  th«.  ^dse  of  the  toes.  This  latter 
is  not  a  continuous  pad,  as  indicated  by  Dr.  Gray — not  always 
at  any  rate;  even  in  the  dried  specimens  before  me  it  is  dis- 
tinctly divided  into  three  bulbs,  much  as  in  Mephitis — one  at 
the  bases  of  the  three  middle  toes,  and  another  at  the  base  of 
each  lateral  toe.  The  clawH  are  very  much  smaller  than  those 
of  the  fore  feet,  short,  stout  a^  base,  moderately  curved,  obtuse, 
excavated  beneath.  The  third  and  fourth  are  subequal  and 
longest^  the  second  is  little  shorter,  the  fifth  much  shorter,  and 
the  first  shorter  still. 

The  pelage  is  very  coarse  and  harsh  throughout.  Tlie  pecu- 
liarity of  the  white  hairs  of  the  tail  has  beeu  already  indicated. 


DESCRIPTION   OP   CONEPATUS   MAPURITO. 


253 


In  coloration,  this  auitnal  presents  greater  variations  than 
those  of  Mephitis  mephiticaj  in  which  the  differences  are  mainly 
in  the  extt^ut  or  restriction  of  the  two  normal  white  stripes. 
The  pattern  is  essentially  a  white  dorsal  area,  which  \i;iy  in- 
clude all  or  most  of  the  tail.  The  white,  in  all  the  specimens  I 
have  seen,  begins  fairly  on  the  sinciput,  in  advance  of  the  ears, 
instead  of  on  the  nape,  as  in  M.  mephitica.  This  may  be  the 
only  point  of  detail  that  is  constant.  The  white  begins  squarely 
in  a  transverse  line,  or  in  a  curve,  or  in  a  point;  it  is  broad  and 
uninterrupted  to  the  end  of  the  tail,  or  fails  to  reach  the  tail 
(which  then  usually  only  has  a  white  brush  at  the  end),  or 
is  divided  by  a  median  vertebral  stripe  of  varying  width,  or, 
tinally,  may  be  interrupted  in  its  continuity.    >..   •  i .      • 

Viewing  the  wholly  indeterminate  character  of  this  white  area, 
and  comparing  it  with  corresponding  variations  in  Mephitis 
mephitica,  it  is  easy  to  account  for  the  extraordinary  confusion 
which  prevails  in  the  accounts  of  this  group,  by  authors  who 
sought  to  establish  species  upon  the  character  of  the  markings. 
These  masses  of  black  and  white  distracted  the  attention  of 
all  the  early  authors  from  the  essential  generic  and  specific 
characters;  in  fact,  it  is  only  about  forty  years  since  the  true 
points  of  distinction  were  perceived  at  all,  and  even  subse- 
quently species  continued  to  be  made  upon  a  wrong  under- 
standing. Some  repugnance  to  handling  and  closely  exam- 
ining the  noisome  beasts  may  not  have  been  entirely  inoper- 
ative in  perpetuating  error  and  confusion ;  and  certainly  the 
group  as  a  whole  is  not  among  those  best  represented  in  muse- 
ums, owing  to  the  obviously  disagreeable  task  it  becomes  to 
capture  and  prepare  the  animals.  Once  again,  the  perfect 
ease  with  which  a  fair  description  will  answer  to  Conepatus  and 
Mephitis  has  had  its  weight  in  provoking  and  perpetuating 
confusion. 

Let  me  illustrate  this  last  point  with  the  following  example 
of  fair  diagnosis  based  upon  color: —  ' 

"  Black ;  back  with  two  broad  white  stripes  meeting  on  the 
head ;  tail  end  wMite." 

This  is  a  perfectly  applicable  and  exact  description  of  both 

Mephitis  mephitica  and  Conepatus  mapnrito  when  the  latter  has 

the  dorsal  area  divided.    Again : — 

'  "Black;  back  with  a  single  broad  white  stripe;  tail  black 

and  white."  '      ^  "'   ^■ 


:v  if 


1 1 


t-ir 


T  ■ 

r-r- 

i. 

'^\ 

1    ; 

el 

"'•■   ■» 

■■'" 

:,j 

254 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELlDiE. 


This  is  entirely  pertinent  to  both  Mephitis  rnacrura  and  Cone- 
patus  mapurito  when  the  latter  has  the  dorsal  area  undivided. 
I  tlo  not  know  where  to  look  for  the  parallel  to  this  curious  well- 
spring  of  error. 

Even  after  the  full  re(!Ognition  by  Lichtenstein  and  Gray  of 
the  diflferent  genera  of  Skunks,  many  nominal  species  endured, 
upon  the  basis  of  CDloration  alone.  In  the  case  of  Conepattis, 
these  have  all  latterly  been  reduced  to  varieties  by  Dr.  Gray, 
because,  as  he  very  truly  says,  "  the  differences  in  the  colora- 
tion appear  to  pass  into  one  another".  This  is  a  step  in  the 
right  direction,  but,  as  it  appears  to  me,  does  not  go  quite  far 
enough.  The  ascribed  differences  are  not  of  the  character  to 
which  recognition  by  name  is  usually  granted ;  they  are  appar- 
ently not  characteristic  of  particular  geographical  areas ;  nor 
are  they  accompanied,  for  all  that  appears,  by  any  other  char- 
acters. I  see  no  alternative  to  regarding  them  ao  wholly  within 
the  normal  range  of  individual  variability  of  th^  species. 

Nor  are  the  ascribed  differences,  when  sifted  of  generalities 
and  cleared  of  mere  verbal  discrepancies,  anything  remarkable. 
I  can  make  nothing  more  of  them  than  this :  the  white  dorsal 
area  may  be  entire,  or  divided  by  a  line  of  black  of  varying 
length  or  width  (giving  the  "two"  stripes  of  authors);  it  may 
stop  short  of  the  tail,  or  go  to  its  end,  or  may  be  broken  up  in 
its  continuity.  This  is  the  whole  sum  of  the  various  accounts 
I  have  seen. 

In  compiling  t*"e  foregoing  extensive  synonymy  of  Couepatm, 
I  have  not  been  unmindful  of  Dr.  Gray's  judicious  caution : — 
"When  we  have  the  power  to  compare  the  living  animal  and 
the  skeleton  of  each  [of  his  nominal  varieties],  we  may  discover 
that  some  of  them  are  distinct  species,  having  a  peculiar  geo- 
graphical range."  This  is  improbable,  yet  quite  possible;  and 
its  prudence  impresses  me  especially,  as  I  have  not  inspected 
specimens  from  South  America.  But  I  would  urge  these  points 
iu  defence  of  the  synonymy  I  have  prepared:  that  all  the 
supposed  species  whose  names  I  have  cited  rest  upon  no  other 
basis  than  that  variability  which  is  proven  to  be  merely  indi- 
vidual, and  that,  therefore,  they  are  ipso  facto  synonymous ; 
that  should  the  synonymy  be  ever  shown  to  embrace  more 
than  one  species,  an  attempt  to  distribute  it  among  two  or 
more  species,  and  to  tix  upon  the  proper  na*' .e  for  each,  would 
be  well-nigh  futile,  so  inextricably  blended  has  it  become; 
that  should  a  second  species  of  Gonepatm  be  hereafter  estab- 


I 


SKULL  AND  TEETH  OF   CONEPATUS  MAPURITO.  255 

lislied,  it  should  properly  receive  a  new  name  upon  the  new 
basis,  as  the  best  means  of  avoiding  further  confusion. 

It  may  not  be  amiss  to  add,  that  all  the  recognized  South 
American  references  are^  to  Conepatus  alone,  Mephitis  proper 
being  not  known  to  occur  on  that  continent.  This  is  a  simplifi- 
cation of  matters  which  does  not  hold  for  Central  America  and 
Mexico,  where  the  two  genera  are  found  together.  Neverthe- 
less, the  supposed  absence  of  Mephitis  proper  from  South 
America  rests  upon  negative  evidence. 

Description  of  the  skull  and  teeth. 

In  the  following  description,  reference  is  had  to  the  same 
parts  of  M.  mephitica,  to  which  all  expressions  of  comparison 
apply.  The  account  is  based  mainly  upon  No.  ^,  Mus.  Smiths. 
Inst.,  from  Texas,  but  several  other  specimens  are  examined  at 
the  same  time. 

Viewed  from  above,  the  rostrum  is  notably  tapering — decid- 
edly more  so  than  in  M.  m^Mtica,  though  the  calibre  at  the 
base  of  the  zygomata  is  even  greater.  1?he  nasal  aperture  is 
much  less  foreshortened  in  this  view.  Supraorbital  processes 
are  barely,  or  not  at  all,  recognizable;  the  prongs  of  the  sagittal 
crest  are  faintly  indicated  or  entirely  inappreciable,  fhe  point 
of  greatest  constriction  of  the  skull  (about  midway  between 
muzzle  and  occiput)  is  well  marked  and  abrupt ;  the  skull  im- 
mediately swelling  behind  it,  forming  a  decided  projection  into 
the  temporal  fossa,  hardly  or  not  seen  in  M.  mephitica.  The 
cranial  dome  is  rather  higher  and  fuller.  The  zygomatic  arches 
are  comparatively  shorter,  more  divergent,  and  more  regularly 
curved.  In  profile,  the  differences  are  more  striking.  The 
highest  part  of  the  skull  is  back  over  the  cranial  dome,  not  at 
the  interorbital  space )  the  slope  is  but  slight  thence  to  the 
occipital  protuberance,  but  is  long  and  regular  from  the  same 
spot  to  the  incisor  teeth ;  for  so  great  is  the  obliquity  of  the 
nasal  orifice  that  the  end  of  the  muzzle  comes  into  this  general 
curve,  instead  of  rising,  with  slight  obliquity,  from  the  teeth 
to  then  bend  abruptly  backward  at  an  angle.  None  of  tne 
specimens,  unluckily,  are  young  enough  to  show  the  nasal 
sutures ;  but  I  have  no  doubt  that  these  bones,  if  not  also  the 
neighboring  part  of  the  maxillaries  and  intermaxillaries,  will 
be  found  to  afford  good  characters.  The  anteorbital  foramen 
(as  in  other  species,  sometimes  subdivided  into  several  separate 
canals)  is  farther  forward  and  higher  up,  .piercing  a  thicker 


'  !■'!« 


;:;] 


li 


\ 

■'  ■ 


li' 

'  \  \ 

■■:•[' 

'     i|' 

i  . 

■ 

%  ( 

-^ , 

t  ■ 

■'-    'M 

It 

;1: 


111 


256 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MU8TELID.E. 


zygomatic  root,  and  consequently  being  rather  a  tube  than  a 
hole.  The  zygomatic  bones  are  slenderer  and  less  laminar  than 
in  Mephitis.  Tlie  arch,  as  a  whole,  is  shorter  and  more  an- 
terior ;  in  skulls  of  the  same  length  laid  together,  the  back 
roots  of  the  arch  in  Conepatus  fall  in  advance  of  the  other  when 
the  muzzles  are  together.  Viewed  from  behind,  the  occipital 
surface  is  much  higher  and  narrower;  thus  the  distance  from 
the  bottom  of  the  foramen  magnum  to  the  occipital  protuber- 
ance is  greater  than  tlie  interparoccipital  w'dth  ;  in  Mephitis, 
it  is,  if  anything,  less.  Beneath,  the  palate  is  seen  to  end  some 
distance  back  of  a  line  drawn  across  behind  the  molars  \  the 
pterygoids  and  contained  interspace  are  correspondingly  shorter 
than  in  Mephitis,  in  which  the  palate  ends  more  nearly  opposite 
the  back  molars.  The  edge  of  the  palatal  shelf  is  simply  trans- 
verse in  some  specimens,  while  in  others  it  shows  a  little  median 
process  backward,  and  we  may  presume  that  in  other  cases  it 
is  nicked,  for  all  this  variation  is  now  well  known  to  occur  iu 
both  Mephitis  ahd  Spilogale. 

The  lower  jaw  gives  excellent  characters.  The  angle  of  the 
mandible  is  strongly  exficcted  and  the  emargiuation  between 
this  and  the  condyle  is  slight.  The  coronoid  process  rises  with 
considerable  backward  obliquity,  with  a  very  convex  anterior 
border,  and  concave  posterior  one,  carrying  the  apex  of  the 
bone  backward  to  a  point  nearly  or  directly  over  the  condyle. 

A  peculiarity  of  the  dentition  of  Conepatus  has  been  unduly 
exaggerated  by  some  authors,  who  assign  a  different  dental 
formula  {pm.  ^,  as  against  pm.  ^  in  Mephitis).  But  the  sup- 
posed wanting  anterior  premolar  is  often  present ;  though  it  is 
always  minute,  probably  never  functionally  developed,  and 
deciduous  or  abortive  on  one  or  both  sides.  I  see  this  small 
tooth  plainly  in  two  skulls  before  me,  but  do  not  find  it  in  a 
third ;  in  which  last  there  is  instead  an  unusual  diastema  be- 
tween the  canine  and  the  nearest  premolar.  This  point  dis- 
posed of,  nothing  in  the  dentition  of  Conepatus  calls  for  special 
remark.  The  detailed  account  given  under  the  head  of  Mephitis 
mephitiea  is  here  equally  applicable. 

Vertebr* :  0.  7  ;  D.  16 ;  L.  5 ;  S.  3 ;  Cd.  18  (Oermrd). 

Description  of  the  anal  glauds. 

The  anal  armature  of  this  species  has  been  investigated  by  M. 
Ghatin,  who  has  published  a  thorough  description,  illustrated 
with  excellent  figures,  in  the  Annales  des  Sciences  Naturelles,  as 


ANAL  GLANDS  OP  CONEPATUS  MAPURITO. 


257 


I 


above  quoted.  Although  the  specimen  bad  been  preserved  ia 
i'lcohol  for  several  years,  it  was  still  extremely  ofteusive,  and 
the  preservative  fluid  was  tainted  with  the  same  fetor.  M. 
Chatin's  account  is  substantifilly  as  follows : — The  anus  presents 
56"""  behind  the  root  of  the  penis,  in  a  large  irregularly 
elliptical  depression,  crossed  by  numerous  grooves;  the  sur- 
rounding integument  forms  a  sort  of  flap  folded  about  the  anus 
and  excretory  pores  of  the  glands.  These  appear  as  openings 
pierced  in  the  centre  of  two  thick,  prominent,  umbilicated 
papilliB,  situated  on  each  side  of  the  anus,  about  9"""  from  the 
middle  line.  Moderate  pressure  suffices  to  bring  up  to  these 
orifices  the  dirty  brown  fetid  liquid  which  has  made  Skunks 
famous.  Kemoval  of  the  cutaneous  fold  which  partially  covers 
these  nipples  shows  that  they  are  situated  in  a  kind  of  recess 
rising  about  5'"™  above  the  floor  of  this  small  pouch;  the 
calibre  of  the  pore  which  opens  at  the  summit  is  suflicient  to 
admit  a  probe  about  a  millimetre  in  diameter.  Dissection  of 
the  perinieum  brings  to  view  the  whole  secretory  apparatus,  the 
size  of  which  is  so  considerable  that  it  is  surprising  Cuvier 
had  nothing  to  say  on  the  subject  in  his  chapter  upon  anal 
glands  and  those  of  neighboring  parts.  Stannius  and  Siebold 
were  also  silent,  while  Owen  confined  himself  to  mere  mention 
of  the  anal  glands  of  the  Skunks. 

The  glandular  mass  is  nearly  trapezoidal;  it  begins  33""" 
from  the  prostate,  on  a  level  with  the  origin  of  the  corpora  caver- 
nosa, the  roots  of  which  thus  extend  upon  the  posterior  or  pro- 
static portion  of  the  gland;  superiorly  it  lies  in  relation  with 
the  urethra,  which  passeti  'over  it.  It  is  enveloped  in  a  thick 
muscular  tunic,  the  origin  of  which  may  be  readily  determined. 
It  iii  c.  ell  known  that  the  ischiocavernous  muscle  (ischiopenial 
of  German  authors)  passes  obliquely  downward  and  inward  to 
the  root  of  the  corpus  cavernosum,  where  it  ends  in  tendinous 
or  muscular  fibres.  "But  sometimes",  says  Leyh,  "there  are 
found  below  this  muscle  some  isolated  muscular  fibres  which 
appear  to  have  no  function."  They  may  be  so  regarded  in 
domestic  animals ;  but,  in  the  present  case,  nature  furnishes 
another  instance  of  her  economy  in  giving  them  no  inconsider- 
able part  to  play.  These  same  fascicles  form  a  large  part,  but 
not  the  whole,  of  the  muscular  envelope  of  the  gland ;  the  bulbo- 
cavernous muscle  is  equally  concerned  in  the  for  jiation  of  the 
tunic ;  nor  can  we  entirely  separate  from  it  the  prostatic  muscles 
which  are  blended  with  it,  and  which  cover  the  upper  portion 
17  m 


258 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID.E. 


I 

I   ' 


of  the  urethra  iu  those  animals  that,  like  the  present  species 
and  the  Dog,  have  no  Cowper's  glands.  The  muscular  coat, 
about  3"""  thick,  is  composed  of  two  layers  readily  distin- 
guished by  the  direction  of  their  fibres  ;  those  of  the  superlicial 
layer  being  transverse,  that  is  to  say,  perpendicular  to  the 
median  or  antero-posterior  axis  of  the  gland,  while  the  fibres 
of  the  deep  layer  run  in  the  opposite  direction,  parallel  with  the 
same  axis. 

Below  these  muscular  layers,  that  is  to  say,  within  the  general 
muscular  envelope,  is  found  the  follicular  or  glandular  portion 
proper  of  the  organ ;  it  is  not  regularly  distributed  around  the 
central  reservoir,  as  in  most  Carnirora,  but  occupies  only  a 
limited  portion  of  the  surface  of  this  receptacle.  The  follicles 
are  rather  large,  and  of  a  reddish-brown  color;  their  numerous 
well-developed  culsde-sac  measure  on  an  average  0""".55  iu 
diameter,  and  are  variously  rounded,  ovoidal,  club-shaped,  &c. 

The  reservoir,  which  is  of  great  size,  is  covered  with  a  thick 
whitish  tunic  composed  of  dense  laminated  tissue  and  elastic 
fibres,  the  presence  of  which  is  readily  determined  by  means  of 
acetic  acid.  In  the  specimen  examined,  the  receptacle  was 
empty,  containing  only  a  few  dirty  brown  pellicles,  which 
showed  under  the  microscope  nothing  but  laminated  fibres  and 
fine  granules.  «  Toward  the  anterior  extremity  of  this  cavity  is 
found  the  opening  of  a  duct,  through  which  the  fluid  secreted 
is  conducted  to  the  lateral  anal  pore,  as  may  be  easily  ascer- 
tained by  passing  a  probe.  The  surface  of  the  reservoir,  marked 
with  numerous  folds  and  furrows,  resembles  to  some  extent  that 
of  Herjyestes  fmciatus. 

It  is  an  established  fact,  then,  that  the  fetid  humor  which 
was  long  supposed  to  be  urine  is  the  secretion  of  true  anal 
glands.  It  is  to  be  regretted  that  the  anatomy  of  the  various 
species  of  Mephitis  is  not  better  known,  for  it  would  be  interest- 
ing to  compare  them  in  the  details  of  this  structure.  Much  is 
still  required  to  complete  their  history,  and  it  is  to  be  hoped 
that  the  missing  links  may  be  soon  supplied. 


<       Oeographical  distribution  and  habits. 

The  general  extra-Iimital  dispersion  of  the  species  southward 
has  been  already  indicated.  Lichtensteiu's  M.  mesoleuca  was 
procured  by  Deppe,  in  1825,  near  Ghico,  Mexico ;  his  leueonota 
was  from  the  Rio  Alvarado,  Mexico.    Bennett's  M.  nasuta  came 


HABITS    OF    THE    WHITE-BACKED    SKUNK. 


259 


from  "California".  Audubon  and  Bachman  describe  the  ani- 
mal from  Texas.  The  only  specimen  Baird  had  seen  in  1857 
was  also  from  this  State  (Llano  Estacado),  beyond  which  I  am 
not  aware  that  the  animal  has  been  actually  observed  north  of 
the  Mexican  border.  I  obtained  no  evidence  of  its  presence  in 
New  Mexico,  Arizona,  or  Southern  California  during  my  resi- 
dences in  those  regions,  and  the  species  may  be  confined,  in  the 
United  States,  to  the  valley  of  the  Lower  Rio  Grande,  like  vari- 
ous other  quadrupeds  and  birds. 

From  Audubon's  account,  it  is  to  be  inferred  that  the  animal 
is  not  rare  in  portions  of  Texas,  where  the  specimen  which  is 
figured  in  his  work  was  procured  by  his  son,  John  Woodhouse. 
His  notice  of  its  habits  is  as  follows : — 

"The  Mephitis  mesoleuea  is  found  on  the  brown,  broomy, 
sedgy  plains,  as  well  as  in  the  woods,  and  the  cultivated  dis- 
tricts of  Texas  and  Mexico.  Its  food  consists  in  part  of  grubs, 
beetles,  and  other  insects,  and  occasionally  a  small  quadruped 
or  bird,  the  eggs  of  birds,  and  in  fact  everything  that  this 
carnivorous  but  timid  animal  can  appropriate  to  its  sustenance. 

"  The  retreats  of  this  Skunk  are  hollows  in  the  roots  of  trees 
or  fallen  trunks,  cavities  under  rocks,  &c. ;  and  it  is  like  the 
northern  species,  easily  caught  when  seen,  (if  any  one  has  the 
resolution  to  venture  on  the  experiment,)  as  it  will  not  endeavour 
to  escape  unless  it  be  very  near  its  hiding  place,  in  which  case 
it  will  avoid  its  pursuer  by  retreating  into  its  burrow,  and  there 
remaining  for  some  time  motionless,  if  not  annoyed  by  a  dog,  or 
by  digging  after  it. 

"  The  stomach  of  the  specimen  from  which  our  drawing  was 
made,  contained  a  number  of  worms,  in  some  degree  resembling 
the  tape-worm  at  times  found  in  the  human  subject.  Not- 
withstanding this  circumstance,  the  individual  appeared  to  be 
healthy  and  was  fat.  The  rainy  season  having  set  in  (or  at 
least  the  weather  being  invariably  stormy  for  some  time)  after 
it  was  killed,  it  became  necessary  to  dry  its  skin  in  a  chimney. 
When  first  taken,  the  white  streak  along  the  back  was  as  pure 
and  free  from  any  stain  or  tinge  of  darkness  or  soiled  color  as 
new  fallen  snow.  The  two  glands  containing  the  fetid  matter, 
discharged  from  time  to  time  by  the  animal  for  its  defence, 
somewhat  resembled  in  appearance  a  soft  egg. 

"This  species  apparently  takes  the  place  of  the  common 
American  skunk  {Mejthitis  chinga),  in  the  vicinity  of  the  ranches 
and  plantations  of  the  Mexicans,  and  it  is  quite  as  destructive 


:1 

^m 

w 

/if 


'■:  m 


:::    i 


i 


u 


260 


NORTH  AMERICAN  MUSTELIDiE. 


to  poultry,  eggs,  &c.,  as  its  northern  relative.  We  have  not 
ascertained  anything  about  its  season  of  breeding,  or  the  time 
the  female  goes  with  young ;  we  have  no  doubt,  however,  that 
in  these  characteristics  it  resembles  the  other  and  closely-allied 
species. 

"  The  long  and  beautiful  tail  of  the  Skunk  makes  it  conspic- 
uous among  the  thickets  or  in  the  musquit  [mezquite]  bushes  of 
Texas,  and  it  most  frequently  keeps  this  part  elevated,  so  that 
in  the  high  grass  or  weeds  it  is  first  seen  by  the  hunter  who 
may  be  looking  for  the  animal  in  such  x^laces." 


^■^  I 


CHAPTER    IX. 


Subfamily  MELIN^E:  The  Badgers. 

The  genus  Taxidea — Generic  characters  and  comparison  with  ^^de8 — Taxidea 
americana,  the  American  Badger — Synonymy — Habitat — Specific  charac- 
ters— DeHcription  of  external  characters — Description  of  the  skull  and 
teeth — Geographical  variation  in  the  skull — History  of  the  American 
Badger — Its  geographical  distribution — Habits — Tcaidea  americana  var. 
herlandieri,  the  Mexican  Badger — Synonymy — Habitat — 8ul)specific  char- 
acters— General  remarks. — Addeji'dum  :  Description  of  the  perinieal  glands 
of  the  European  Badger,  Melea  vulgnris, 

ANIMALS  of  this  subfamily  inhabit  Europe,  Asia,  and 
America.  There  are  four  well-marked  genera,  though 
the  species  are  so  few :  the  European  Meles,  the  Asiatic  My- 
daus  and  Arctonyx,  and  the  American  Taxidea,  long  time  con- 
founded with  Mele8. 

I  have  already  (p.  10)  given  the  characters  by  which  the 
North  American  representative  of  the  Melinw  is  distinguished 
from  our  other  subfamilies.  The  expressions  used,  however, 
are  rather  diagnostic  of  the  particular  genus  Taxidea  than  of 
the  subfamily  Melinw  at  large,  the  various  members  of  which 
differ  sufficiently  to  require  greater  latitude  of  definition.  It 
being  not  to  my  present  purpose  to  consider  the  Melinw  fur- 
ther than  as  represented  by  the  American  genus,  we  may  at 
once  take  np  the  latter. 

The  Genus  TAXIDEA.    (Wateeh.) 

X  I'rsus,  pt.,  of  Schreber. 

<  Meles,  TaxuN,  of  anthors  referring  to  the  Kortli  American  Badger. 
=  Taxidea,  Waterhoune,  Proc.  Zool.  Soc.  Lond.  vi.  1838, 154 ;  Trans.  Zo81.  Soc.  Loud.  ii.  pt.  ▼. 
1841, 3i3.—Baird,  Mamm.  N.  A.  1857, 301,  and  of  late  antbora  generally. 


3-3       1  1 

Generic  characters. — Dental  formula :  i.  i,--„,c.~ 


3-3 


1-1 


34.* 


_!«_ 

3-3'  "'  l-l'  ^""'  3-3'  "*•  a-2  ~  18~~ 

Back  npper  molar  a  right-angled  triangle,  with  hypothenuse  postero- 

*Prof.  Baird  (M.  N.  A.,  201),  after  correctly  stating  the  dental  formula, 
makes  the  total  "32"  instead  of  34,  by  an  obvious  slip  of  the  pen.  He 
further  states,  "In  young  specimens  there  is  an  additional  premolar,  (first,) 

261 


y 

■  ,1 


'  •  i'  1  i 


•;   .    I):' 


^m 


262 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


u 


external.  Back  upper  premolar  similar  iu  si/e  and  shape  (though  the  euii- 
iiences  of  the  crowu  very  dirt'ereiit),  but  the  hypothenuso  postero-intcnial. 
Back  uuder  premolar  with  two  tubercles.  Anterior  uuder  molar  compara- 
tively small,  not  dilated  behind,  mostly  opposing  the  back  upper  premolar 
(instead  of  the  upper  molar  as  in  Melen),  Cerebral  portiou  of  skull  de- 
pressed-cuneiform, very  wide  across  the  flaring  occipital  crest;  the  inter- 
mastoid  diameter  nearly  equalling  the  inter-zygomatic  ;  sides  of  the  brain- 
case  straightened  and  strongly  convergent  anteriorly.     Bony  palate  reach- 

which  soon  disappears ;  this  will  add  1-1  premolar  to  the  lower  jaw,  making 
34  in  all."  But  such  additional  under  premolar  of  the  early  dentition 
(which  I  have  not  seen,  though  I  have  examined  skulls  with  the  teeth 
scarcely  cut)  would  make  36  in  all,  not  "  34  ",  the  latter  being  the  correct 
total  of  the  adult  formula. 

Audubon  and  Bachmau  state  (Quad.  N.  Am.  i.  361)  that  "  the  present  spe- 
cies has  one  tooth  less  than  the  latter  IMeha  rulgarW]  on  each  side  in  the 
lower  jaw",  which  is  certainly  not  the  case,  as  the  dental  formula  is  the 
same  in  the  two  genera.  (Quoting  Waterhouse,  Trans.  Zool.  Soc.  ii.  pt.  v,  p. 
343,  these  authors  continue  : — "' The  subgeneric  name,  Taxidea,  may  be  ap- 
plied to  the  American  Badger,  and  such  species  as  may  be  hereafter  dis- 
covered with  incisors^;  canines  j~j;  false  molars  g^g,  ...  molars  ^^^  .  .  .  '" 
I  have  not  Waterhouse's  article  at  baud  to  verify  the  quotation ;  if  his  words 
and  figures  are  correctly  quoted,  Waterhouse  did  not  give  the  right  fornmla, 
for  his  total  is  only  32,  instead  of  34 ;  besides  which  he  reckoned  the  upper 
sectorial  tooth  as  a  molar,  instead  of  a  premolar,  as  it  is.  Making  this 
change,  but  retaining  his  original  numbers,  Waterhouse's  formula  becomes 
J)«i.  ~^,  m.  ^.  But  there  are  live  grinding  teeth  on  each  side  of  the  lower 
jaw  of  Taxidea,  I  have  never  seen  an  American  Badger's  skull  with  teetli 
otherwise  than  as  given  in  the  text  above. 

A  peculiarity  in  dentition  of  A/eha  vulgaris,  which  may  account  for  dis- 
crepant statements  of  the  dental  formula,  has  been  pointed  out  by  Professors 
Moseley  and  Lankester  ( Jouru.  Auat.  and  Phys.  iii.  1868,  79) : — "  Mr  Flower, 
in  his  recent  admirable  paper  on  the  Dentition  of  Marsupials,  has  laid  sonic 
stress  on  the  fact  that,  in  several  diphyodont  mammalia,  some  of  the  anterior 
maxillary  teeth  never  have  any  predecessors,  as  in  the  case  of  the  second  an- 
terior maxillary  teeth  of  the  dog,  and  the  corresponding  lateral  mandibular 
teeth,  and  iu  the  hog  also.  We  are  led  to  believe,  from  the  examination  of 
a  line  series  of  Badgers'  skulls  in  the  university  museum,  that  this  animal 
furnishes  an  additional  example.  In  three  skulls,  possessing  the  permanent 
dentition,  we  fouud  a  small  peg-like  tooth  implanted  in  the  jaw  immediately 
behind  the  caniniform  maxillary,  and  somewhat  internally  to  the  general 
line  of  the  teeth,  and  obviously  corresponding  to  the  small  anterior  lateral 
tooth  (pra'molar)  of  the  lower  series  abutting  against  the  large  caniniform. 
We  found  no  trace  of  this  tooth  in  a  young  skull  with  the  perfect  deciduous 
dentition,  nor  in  De  Blainville's  figure  of  the  same.  It  is  described  neither 
by  Owen  nor  De  Blainville,  and  is  evidently  easily  lost,  since  it  has  dropped 
out  of  one  skull,  leaving  only  its  alveolus  as  evidence  of  its  former  pres- 
ence ;  and  in  two  other  skulls  no  traces  of  it  were  to  be  seen  at  all.  The 
addition  of  this  tooth  makes  the  dentition  of  the  Badger  the  same  as  that 
of  the  Glutton." 


THE   GENUS   TAX  IDEA — T.    AMERICANA. 


263 


Ing  httlf-way  to  ends  of  pterygoids.  Biillii-  anditoriip  at  a  maximum  of 
influtiou,  impinging  behind  upon  pnroccipitals.  Condyles  of  jaw  often 
locked  in  the  glenoid.  Coronoid  of  jaw  erect,  pointed,  its  posterior  edge 
angulated  by  the  meeting  of  two  straightish  lines.  (For  further  cranial  char- 
acters see  page  2f)t). ) 

Body  extremely  stout,  squat,  and  clumsy,  owing  to  great  deiiression  ;  tail 
short,  broad,  flattened;  pelage  loose;  coloration  ditl'use;  fore  claws  ex- 
tremely' large,  highly  adapted  for  digging.  Habits  thoroughly  terrestrial 
and  fossorial. 

Taxidea  is  confined  to  North  and  Middle  America.  "  Tliis 
genus,"  as  Prof.  Baird*  has  remarked,  "  is  so  strikingly  differ- 
ent from  MeleH  as  to  render  it  a  matter  of  astonishment  that 
the  typical  species  were  ever  combined."  It  is  represented  by 
a  single  species,  divisible  into  two  geographical  races. 

The  American  Bacl^irer. 

Taxidea  americana. 

Plate  XVI. 

I'rsus  taxus,  SchreU.  "Snug.  Hi.  1778,  520,  f.  14211.    (After  Buffou.)" 

Mcles  Uxus  var.  amerlranus  Bodd.  Ehtnoh.  Anim.  i.  1784,  130. 

Meles  amerlcanuM,  Zimm.  Peun.  Arktischo  Zool.  i.  1787,  74.    (Qaotes  Boddaert.) 


*  Mamni.  N.  Am.  p.  '201.  From  direct  comparison  of  skulls,  which  I  have 
not  made,  this  author  has  concisely  set  forth  many  leading  points  of  dissim- 
ilarity.   I  quote  his  article,  with  some  abridgment:— 

"  The  most  striking  peculiarity  of  TaxiAea  consists  in  the  great  expanse  of 
the  occipital  region,  the  width  of  the  occiput  being  [nearly  or  about]  ei|ual 
to  that  of  the  skull,  measured  between  the  outer  surfaces  of  the  zygomatic 
arches.  Thus  the  geuersil  shape  is  that  of  a  depressed  wedge,  widest  behind 
and  truncated  anteriorly,  instead  of  being  very  much  widest  across  the 
zygomatic  arches,  as  in  Miles.  .  .  .  The  occipital  crests  are  well  developed 
in  Taxidea,  the  sagittal  very  moderate.  The  auditory  bulla*  are  very  largo 
and  convex.  The  processes  of  the  glenoid  cavity  are  not  so  well  developed 
as  in  Meles,  though  occasionally  sufticiently  developed  to  lock  the  condyles 
of  the  lower  jaw.  The  coronoid  process  has  its  apex  pointed  instead  of 
rounded  or  truncated ;  its  posterior  margin  is  formed  by  two  lines,  the  lower 
rising  nearly  perpendicularly  a  little  in  advance  of  the  condyle,  the  other 
rather  longer  than  the  lirst,  making  a  very  obtuse  angle  with  it.  The  differ- 
ences in  the  character  of  the  teeth  are  equally  striking,  though  their  number 
is  the  same.  The  penultimate  or  sectorial  upper  molar  [last  premolar]  is 
very  large  and  triangular ;  fully  eiiual  in  size  to  the  last  molar,  instead  of 
being  much  smaller ;  it  has  likewise  a  large  tubercle  on  the  inner  lobe, 
scarcely  observable  in  Meles.  The  last  molar  is  also  triangular,  (nearly  right- 
angled,)  somewhat  resembling  hiilf  of  the  quadrilateral  tooth  of  Mele^.  In  the 
lower  jaw  the  last  premolar  is  larger  than  iu  Meles,  and  has  two  tubercles. 
The  penultimate  molar  is  smaller  and  not  dilated  behind.  The  portion  of  its 
crown  which  is  applied agaiust  the  upper  sectorial  molar  [premolar]  is  larger 
than  that  in  contact  with  the  last  upper  molar,  instead  of  being  smaller,  as 
in  Meles." 


h^^ 


|;;v 


Kill 

a 

M 


M 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


5< 


A 


i.  « 


%^ 


U.s 


1.0      la  ■■■  " 


I.I 


2.5 


1^    12.2 


1.25  nil  1.4 


20 

1.6 


v%^ 


Ta 


/a 


'V^) 


^^^^  ifc^'*',^'^ 


V 


^5. 


y 


■^ 


WJ^wW!T)>WWW»"i 


264 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


I  •'' 


i:>! 


Tttxidra  amt'ricana.  Baud,  M.  N.  A.  1857,  202,  pi,  H9,  f.  Q.—Xewb.  P.  R.  R.  Rep.  vi.  1857, 45 
(habits).— Coo^j.  X.  11.  W.  T.  1860,  n.—SyMeit,  ibid.  ^J4.—Sucklcy  it  (Hhhs,  IMd.  117.— 
Hayd.  TranB.  Am.  Philos.  Soc.  xii.  1862,  134  (Upper  Missouri  country).— Gcrt//,  P.  Z.  S. 
1865, 141 ;  Cat.  Cam.  Br.  Mus.  1869,  —.—Coop.  Am.  Nat.  ii.  1868,  529  (Montana).— Stci,'. 
TJ.  S.  Geo!.  Surv.  Terr,  for  1870, 1871, 461.-^1  Hen,  Pr.  Boat.  Soc.  N.  H.  xiii,  1869  (publighfii 
February,  1870),  183  (Iowa,  still  numerons) ;  Bull.  Ess.  Inst.  vi.  1874,46  (Kausas),  54 
(Colorado),  59  (Wyomintj),  63  (Utah)  j  Pr.Bost.  Soc.  xvii.  1874,  38.— Awe*,  Bull.  Miun. 
Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  1874,  69  (Minnesota).— Cokc?  d:  Yarrow,  Zoiil.  Expl.  W.  100  Merid.  v. 
1875,  G3.— Allen,  Bull.  U.  S.  Gool.  and  Geogr.  Surv.  Terr.  vol.  ii.  no.  4,  1875,  330  (skull). 

iTSUS  labradoriUN,  Om.  S.  K  i.  1788,  102,  n.  l.—Kerr,  H.  N.  i.  1792,  187.— Shaw,  G.  Z.  i.  1800, 
469,  pi.  lOe.-TMC*.  S.  N.  i.  1806,  63. 

MeleH  labradurla,  Meyer,  "  Zool.  Arch.  ii.  1790,  io.'—J.  Sab.  App.  Franklin's  Jonm.  1823, 649 
(compared  with  European).- ZTarJ.  Fn.  Anier.  1825,  SH.-Oriff.  An.  Kingd.  v.  1827, 116 
{"labradorica").—Le8s.  Man.  i.  1827,141,  no.  372  {"labradorica"). — Finch.  Syn.  1829, 
l^X.-lUch.  F.B.  A.  i.  1829,  37,  no.  12,  pi.  i.—Qodm.  Am.  Nat.  Hist.  i.  1831,  179.— 7Ji</i. 
Zoiil.  Becchey's  Voy.  1839,  i.-Wagn.  Suppl.  Schreb.  ii.  1841, 182.— Z)c  Kay,  N.  Y.  Zoiil.  i. 
1842,  Sa.—Schim,  Syn.  i.  1844,  315  (" labrndonia").—Axid.  d-  Bach.  Q.  N.  A.  i.  1840,  360, 
pi.  4T.—Bd.  Stansbury's  Rep.  1852,  311.— iioin.  Tr.  Illinois  Agric.  Soc.  lor  1853-4, 
1855, 578.— OwhcJ,  Siiug.  1855,  761  <,"labradoriuii").—IIall,  CanAA.  Nat.  and  Geol.  vi. 
1861,  294  ("labradoricm").— Maxim.  Arch.  Naturg.  1861,  — i  Verz.  Siiug.  1862,  33. 

Taxus  labradorirus,  Say,  Long's  Exp.  i.  1823,  261,  369. 

Taxidca  labrudoria,  H.  Smith,  Nat.  Lib.  xiii.  1842,  210.— Gray.,  List  Mamm.  Br.  Mus.  1843, 
lO.-Baird,  M.  N.  A.  1857,  745  (expl.  of  pls'.).-0(')v.  Cat.  Bonces  Br.  Mus.  1862.  99. 

1  Taxidea  labradoria.  Waterh.  P.  Z.  S.  vi.  1838, 154 ;  Tr.  Z.  S.  ii.  1841,  343,  pi.  59  (may  be  the 
other  subspecies). 

Meles  Jeffersonil,  Harl.  Fn.  Amer.  1825, 309  (based  on  Lewis  and  Clarke). 

Ameril'un  Badger,  Penn.  Syn.  Quad.  1771,  202,  no.  143;  Hist.  Quad.  il.  1781,  15,  no.  998  //.— 
ICrxl.  Syst.  i.  1777,  164  (in  text).— And  of  authors  generally. 

Common  Badger,  Penn.  Arct.  Zoiil.  i.  1784,  71,  no.  23  (in  part;  includes  the  European). 

Blaireau  d'Amerlqiie,  "F.  Cuu.  Hist.  Nat.  Mamm. " 

Blalreau  du  Labrador,  £«««.  I.  c 

AmcrlkanlNrhc  Darhs,  Schim,  I.  c.  {Dachs,  cf.  Martens,  Zoiil.  G art.  xi.  1870, 251,  philological). 

Braro,  Lewis  rf  Clarke,  Trav.  Allen's  ed.  ii.  1814,  177;  Rees'sed.  4to,  471 ;  Rees's  ed.  8vo,  iii. 
40  (also  called  "badger"  passim  in  this  work ;  rendered  "blaireau"  in  the  McVickar 
ed.  ii.  349;  basis  of  Meles  jeffersonii,  Harlan). 

Prarow,  "  Gass's  Journ.  p.  34."— (Richardson.) 

Brairo  or  Lacyotl,  Gray,  List  Mamm.  Br.  Mns.  1843, 70. 

Bralbo  or  LaryotI,  Gerr.  I.  c. 

I'arcajou,  Buff.  "Hist.  Nat.  Suppl.  iii.  242,  pi.  49"  (cf.  Desm.,  Mamm.  i.  1820, 173;  Eucy.pl. 
38,  f.  2). 

rarrajou  ou  Blalreau  am^rlraln,  F.  Cuv.  Suppl.  Bufl'.  i,  1831,  267. 

Carkqjou  ou  Blalreau  d'Amerlque,  Gervais,  Proc.  Verb.  Soc.  Philom.  Paris,  1842, 30. 

Brairo  et  SIflleur,  French  Canadians. 

NannaspachiC'neeNkieshew,  Ml!«lonusk,  Awawteekipoo,  Oree  Indians  (Richardson). 


Hab. — United  States,  from  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  and  Texas  westward.  Brit- 
ish America,  east  to  Hudson's  Bay  at  least,  north  to  58°.  Replaced  near  the 
Mexican  border  by  var.  berlandkri,  whicli  extends  into  Mexico.  Formerly 
further  east  (Michigan,  Indiana,  Illinois).  "  Ohio,  near  Toledo,  abont  20 
years  since  ;  now  extinct"  (Edw.  Orton,  in  epist.). 

Specific  characters. — Top  of  head  darker  than  other  upper  parts,  with 
a  median  white  stripe  ;  sides  of  head  below  the  eyes,  and  its  under  surface, 
•white,  with  a  dark  patch  before  the  ear;  limbs  blackish;  body-coloration 
above  a  grizzle  of  blackish  with  white,  gray,  or  tawny,  or  all  of  these ;  be- 
low uniform  whitish,  shaded  or  not  with  gray  or  tawny.  Length  about  24 
inches  to  root  of  tail ;  tail  6 ;  head  5i  ;  longest  fore  claw  1^. 


DESCRIPTION   OF   TAXIDEA   AMERICANA. 


265 


Description  of  external  characters.* 

Form  stout,  thick-set,  indicative  of  great  strength  and  little 
agility  ;  body  broad  depressed ;  head  flattened,  conoidal ;  tail 
and  limbs  short ;  feet  broad  and  flat ;  fore  claws  enormous, 
highly  fossorial.  Pelage  of  body  and  tail  long,  loose,  shaggy, 
and  of  coarse  texture ;  shorter  and  closer  on  the  head  and  feet. 
Coloration  blended,  diffuse,  grizzly  above ;  below,  uniform ;  on 
the  head  definitely  marked  in  certain  areas. 

The  head  is  nearly  one-fifth  of  the  total  length  exclusive  of 
the  tail ;  it  is  conoidal,  but  depressed  very  broad  across  the 
temples  and  cheeks,  contracting  gradually  to  the  prominent 
snout.  It  is  covered  with  short,  close,  coarse  hair,  only  length- 
ening about  the  ears.  The  muzzle  is  completely  furry,  except- 
ing the  nasal  pad  itself;  this  is  completely  anterior,  with  a 
downward-backward  obliquity  ;  there  is  a  median  vertical  fur- 
row ;  the  nostrils,  not  at  all  visible  from  above  or  laterally,  are 
pyriform,  lengthening  slitwise  at  the  lower  outer  corner.  The 
naked  pad  is  black  ;  below  it,  the  upper  lip  is  completely  furred 
across,  and  the  fur  elsewhere  extends  to  the  very  edges  of  the 
rather  thin  lips.  The  rictus  is  ample ;  the  canines  are  visible 
in  life.  The  eye  is  remarkably  small,  and  rather  high  up,  a  lit- 
tle back  of  the  angle  of  the  mouth.  The  vibrissa}  are  sparse 
and  short,  the  longest  scarcely  or  not  attaining  the  eye ;  here 
and  there  other  bristles  grow  about  the  eyes  and  on  the  chin. 
The  ears  are  low,  rounded,  and  very  broad,  with  remarkably 
large  external  meatus,  partly  defended  by  long  loose  hairs 
growing  in  front,  completely  hairy  outside  and  for  some  dis- 
tance inside  around  the  border ;  but  most  of  the  concavity  of 
the  conch  is  naked,  with  some  sparse  isolated  tufts. 

The  fore  limbs  are  short,  stout,  and  the  fore  feet  very  large, 
broad,  and  flat,  bearing  immense  claws.  The  digits  are  much 
abbreviated  and  consolidated,  appearing  from  above  almost 
entirely  grown  together,  from  below  as  five  closely  appressed 
oval  pads.  Thej'  are  shorter  than  the  claws  they  respectively 
bear ;  the  2d-5th,  are  subequal  and  longer  than  the  1st  or  5th, 
which  are  mere  claw-bearing  bulbs.  The  back  of  the  hand  is 
hairy  to  claws,  the  bases  of  which  are  overhung  by  the  longer 
anterior  hairs ;  the  palm  shows  the  following  disposition :  a 
crescent  of  five  large  closely  apposed  naked  digital  bulbs,  sep- 
arated by  a  profound  excavation  from  a  single  large  irregu- 

*  From  uunieruus  Hpeuimeus  iu  the  Smithsonian  MuHeum. 


h;-i:; 

h  If 


:•  ,il 


M   , 


■VI. 


:S 


•■.*«VS!»,W»(H^JSi,' 


9,jv^fp?v:^ 


■JIfflP 


266 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELIDyE, 


larlj'  shaped  palmar  pad,  either  entirely  naked  or  partly  over- 
grown with  coarse  hair  extending  crosswise  from  the  inner 
border  over  more  or  less  of  its  extent ;  this  main  pad  divided 
by  a  decided  transverse  groove  from  a  much  smaller  postero- 
exterior  one,  which  is  entirely  hairy,  or  partly  so,  or  perfectly 
naked,  in  difterent  cases.  The  claws  are  all  compressed, 
arched,  with  rounded  ridge  and  sharp  edge  underneath,  origi- 
nally acute  but  generally  blunted  with  use.  The  three  middle 
ones  are  subequal  in  length,  much  longer  than  either  of  the 
lateral  ones,  and  project  still  further,  owing  to  the  shortness  of 
the  lateral  digits ;  they  are  also  stouter  tuau  the  others.  The 
lateral  claws  are  subequal  to  each  other,  and  they  reach  half- 
way (more  or  less)  to  the  ends  of  the  middle  ones ;  they  are 
more  compressed  and  not  so  strong,  the  inner  one  especially 
being  thin,  sharp,  and  falcate.  As  usual  in  such  cases  of  spe- 
cial developments  of  parts,  the  rate  of  variation  in  size,  both 
absolute  and  relative,  is  high,  not  permitting  more  strict  state- 
ments than  the  above.  Either  one  of  the  three  larger  middle 
claws  may  exceed  the  other  two  in  size,  and,  of  the  lateral  ones, 
either  may  surpass  the  other.  The  inner  claw,  however,  appa- 
rently preserves  its  decidedly  thin  and  falcate  condition. 

The  hind  feet  are  much  like  the  fore,  on  the  whole,  with,  how- 
ever, a  decided  reduction  in  size,  and  especially  in  the  develop- 
ment of  the  claws.  The  foot  is  about  four  titues  as  long  as 
broad,  of  nearly  equal  width  throughout,  hairy  above  and 
completely  so  below,  more  than  half-way  from  the  heel  to  the 
ends  of  the  toes.  Much  as  in  the  fore  foot,  the  digits  under- 
neath present  a  crescent  of  five  bald  pads,  of  which  the  lateral 
ones,  and  especially  the  outer  one,  are  somewhat  disconnected  ; 
with  a  deeply  excavated  interval,  these  pads  are  succeeded  by 
a  single  large  bald  callosity,  heart-shaped  in  general  contour, 
incompletely  divided  by  several  radiating  impressions  into 
four,  sometimes  five  parts.  These  grooves  are  not  constant, 
nor  are  the  resulting  partitions  always  of  the  same  size  and 
shape.  The  relative  lengths  of  the  digits,  and  of  the  claws 
they  bear,  are  essentially  the  same  as  in  the  fore  foot ;  but  all 
the  claws  are  very  much  smaller,  and  the  lateral  ones  scarcely 
or  not  attain  the  base  of  the  2d  and  J:th  respectively.  These 
hind  claws,  however,  as  compared  with  the  fore,  differ  remark- 
ably in  construction,  though  of  much  the  same  shape ;  they 
are  less  compressed,  and,  instead  of  being  sharp-edged  along  the 
median  line  below,  they  are  deeply  excavated  underneath — 


DESCRIPTION   OF   TAXIDEA   AMERICANA. 


267 


sometimes  so  deeply  as  to  be  merely  a  thiu  shell  of  horn,  the 
edges  of  which  ouly  unite  at  the  base  of  the  claw. 

The  short,  broad,  flattened  tail  has  no  sharp  distinction  from 
the  body  at  its  base,  but  the  body  tapers  toward  it  somewhat 
as  in  the  Porcupine.  It  is  densely  covered,  in  a  somewhat  dis- 
tichous manner,  with  long  coarse  hair  like  that  of  the  body ; 
the  end  is  obtusely  rounded. 

The  perimeal  region  shows,  immediately  beneath  the  root  of 
the  tail,  a  large  transverse  fissure  leading  into  the  peculiar  sub- 
caudal  pouch  of  the  Melhuc,  and,  in  advance  of  this,  a  large 
hemispherical  protuberance,  more  or  less  naked,  or  covered 
with  a  few  sparse  hairs,  and  imperfectly  divided  by  a  mediau 
raph6  into  lateral  oval  masses.  (The  anatomy  of  the  peculiar 
organs  of  these  parts,  as  illustrated  in  the  European  Meles 
taxtis,  is  given  beyond.) 

The  Badger  varies  greatly  in  color,  as  a  fortuitous  matter  of 
age,  season,  or  condition  of  pelage,  aside  from  certain  geo- 
graphical dift'orences,  to  be  shown  in  the  sequel.  The  varia- 
tion, however,  is  mainly  m  the  relative  amounts  of  the  black- 
ish tawny-gray  and  white 'which  produce  the  general  grizzle, 
the  pattern  of  coloration  being  well  preserved,  especially  as  to 
the  m  irkings  of  the  head.  The  top  of  the  head  is  dark  brown 
or  blackish,  generally  increasing  in  intensity  and  purity  from 
the  nape  to  the  snout,  since  it  is  commonly  more  or  less 
blended  with  gray  or  hoary  encroaching  from  behind.  This 
dark  area  is  divided  lengthwise  by  a  sharp  white  or  whitish 
mediau  stripe,  which  runs  from  the  snout,  or  from  just  back  of 
the  snout  to  the  nape,  where  it  is  gradually  lost  in  the  grizzle 
of  that  part.  I  have  never  known  this  stripe  to  be  entirely 
wanting ;  but  it  varies  much  in  extent,  both  laterally  and 
longitudinally.  The  sides  of  the  extreme  muzzle  are  dark, 
like  the  top  of  the  head  ;  from  about  opposite  the  canines,  the 
sides  of  the  head  and  the  ears  are  white,  continuous  with  the 
white  of  the  chin  and  throat,  but  interrupted  by  a  large  (gen- 
erally crescentic)  dusky  patch  in  front  of  the  ear.  Another 
dark  patch  usually  shows,  though  less  conspicuousily  behind 
the  ear.  The  whole  body  and  tail  above  are  an  intimately 
blended  mixture  of  blackish  with  white,  hoary  gray,  and 
tawny,  or  pale  dull  fulvous  (dilut'j  lidvohis).  The  individual 
hairs  are  for  the  greater  part  of  their  length  of  one  of  the 
lighter  colors  above  mentioned,  then  black  or  blackish  for  a 
distance,  and  finally  tipped  with  hoary  gray  or  whitish.    This 


':''] 


-■4-f-i 


268 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELIDiE. 


pale  eudiug  of  the  hairs  seems  constant,  even  when  there  is 
most  tawny  in  the  body  of  the  furs.  Owing  to  the  length  and 
coarseness  of  the  pelage,  the  animal  usually  presents,  when 
prepared  for  the  museum,  a  patchy  or  streaky  appearance,  the 
completely  blended  grizzle  being  interrupted  by  the  slightest 
disturbance  of  the  set  of  the  hairs.  Beneath,  the  animal  is 
uniformly  as  above,  minus  the  black  or  blackish.  The  feet  are 
dark  brown  or  blackish  ;  the  claws  are  generally  light-colored, 
especially  those  of  the  fore  feet. 

In  examining  a  large  suite  of  specimens  from  various  locali- 
ties in  the  United  States  west  of  the  Mississippi,  I  find  decided 
expression  of  a  variation  dependent  upon  climatic  influences. 
Specimens  from  the  comparatively  fertile  and  well-watered 
regions  upon  the  eastern  border  of  the  great  central  plateau 
are  identical  in  tone  with  others  from  the  Pacific  slopes,  and 
both  much  more  heavily  colored  than  those  from  the  arid 
intermediate  region.  In  the  former,  the  fulvous  or  tawny  tinge 
predominates  among  the  lighter  colors,  mixed  with  a  large 
amount  of  nearly  pure  black.  As  remarked  by  Prof.  Baird, 
the  resemblance  of  these  specimens  to  the  Woodchuck  {Arc- 
tomys  monax)  is  striking.  In  all  the  specimens  from  the  inte- 
rior dry  region,  and  especially  from  the  Upper  Missouri,  where 
the  animal  is  extremely  common,  there  is  little  if  any  of  the 
fulvous.  At  a  distance,  the  animal  appears  nearly  white ;  the 
general  color  is  white,  soiled  with  a  faint  tawny  or  dirty  yel- 
lowish-tinged and  mixed  with  but  little  blackish,  the  dark 
part  of  the  individual  hairs  being  less  extensive  than  even  the 
terminal  hoary  portion,  and  the  area  where  the  black  occurs  at 
all  being  restricted.  In  these  cases,  also,  the  general  grizzle 
encroaches  most  on  the  head,  and  the  frontal  white  stripe 
reaches  farthest  along  the  nape.  Under  these  conditions,  the 
animal  very  closely  resembles  in  coloration  the  brindled  gray 
Wolves  of  the  same  geographical  area. 

It  is  almost  needless  to  add  that  the  gradation  between  the 
extremes  above  noted  is  unbroken  and  insensible. 

None  of  the  specimens  now  under  consideration  show  the 
slightest  trace  of  a  vertebral  white  stripe  beyond  the  nape. 
Those  exhibiting  this  peculiarity  are  treated  under  the  next 
head. 

Without  alcoholic  specimens,  or  measurements  taken  in  the 
flesh,  I  cannot  give  the  dimensions  with  desirable  precision,  as 
all  the  dried  skins  before  me  are  more  or  less  distorted.    The 


^m 


SKULL  AND  TEETH  OF  TAXIDEA  AMERICANA. 


269 


range  of  variation  in  size,  though  considerable,  is  nothing  un- 
usual. To  the  figures  above  given  may  be  added :  Nose  to  eye 
about  2i  inches ;  to  ear  about  u ;  fore  foot  from  the  posterior 
callosity,  and  including  claws,  3i  ;  hind  foot  from  heel,  includ- 
ing claws,  4.  Lowest  hairs  of  the  back  3  or  4  inches ;  of  the 
tail,  2  or  3.    Height  of  the  ear  above  the  bottom  of  the  meatus 

Penis  hone  4  inches  long,  clubbed  at  one  end,  compressed, 
and  with  shallow  sulcus  in  the  continuity;  the  other  end  bent 
nearly  at  right  angle,  abruptly  and  irregularly  flattened  and 
grooved. 

It  is  surprising  that  this  animal  should  ever  have  been  con- 
founded with  the  MeJes  tamis  of  Europe,  since  the  decided 
structural  characters  upon  which  the  genus  Taxidea  rests  are 
coordinated  with  readily  appreciable  superficial  distinctions. 
In  the  European  Badger,  the  snout  is  much  larger,  more  pro- 
tuberant, more  extensively  naked,  and  differently  shaped,  be- 
ing not  very  dissimilar  to  that  of  a  hog  in  miniature.  It  is  def- 
initely naked  on  top  for  some  distance,  as  well  as  in  front  for 
a  space  below  the  nostrils ;  these  occupy  but  a  small  part  of 
its  subcircular  front.  The  fore  claws  are  much  smaller  and 
weaker.  There  are  some  differences  in  the  details  of  the  pads 
upon  the  palms  and  soles.  The  general  body-color  above  is 
not  dissimilar ;  but  the  under  parts  are  black  like  the  limbs, 
this  color  extending  on  the  chin,  where  our  species  is  white. 
The  head  is  otherwise  white,  with  a  broad  black  stripe  begin- 
ning on  each  side  opposite  the  canines,  running  back,  embrac- 
ing the  eye  and  ear,  and  losing  itself  on  the  side  of  the  nape. 
The  edge  of  the  ear  is  white  in  this  otherwise  uninterrupted 
black  bar.  In  the  dried  specimen  before  me,  the  naked  part 
of  the  snout  appears  to  have  been  flesh-colored,  and  the  claws 
are  dark. 

Description  of  the  sJcuU  and  teeth. 

I  have  no  skull  of  Meles  in  hand  for  direct  comparison,  but 
this  is  less  to  be  regretted  in  view  of  the  numerous  striking 
differences  which  any  accurate  and  detailed  description  will 
show,  even  without  use  of  strictly  antithetical  expressions. 
(See  also  antea,  p.  263,  note.) 

A  striking  peculiarity  of  the  adult  skull  is  perceived  in  a 
view  from  above,  in  the  great  width  behind,  the  distance  across 
the  terminations  of  the  occipital  crest  being  equal  to  (a  Httle 
more  or  less  than)  the  iuter-zygomatic  width ;  the  lateral  out- 


f 


W- 


»f  J 


■  ■  rfi 
-■'-  ¥^^ 


m 

'il 


■■ymif^T^ 


270 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELIDyE. 


line  in  general  is  therefore  wedge-shaped.  The  rostral  part  of 
the  skull  (all  that  in  advance  of  the  zj'gomatic  arches)  is  about 
one-third,  or  rather  less,  of  the  total  length.  The  sides  of  the 
rostrum  are  approximately  parallel  in  old  skulls,  owing  iu  a 
measure  to  the  swollen  tract  of  rooting  of  the  canines,  in  young 
specimens  somewhat  tapering;  the  nasal  extremity  is  abruptly 
narrower  than  the  rest ;  the  obliquity  of  bevelling  of  the  nasal 
aperture  is  about  45°.  In  old  skulls,  the  nasal  and  maxillary 
sutures  are  obliterated ;  in  young  ones,  the  nasal  bones  are 
seen  to  be  narrow,  with  approximately  parallel  edges  for  the 
anterior  half  of  their  length,  where  they  begin  to  narrow,  and 
extend  as  slender  acute  processes  very  far  back — to  opposite 
the  middle  of  the  orbits.  Their  suture  with  the  superior  niax- 
illaries  is  very  brief;  for  the  intermaxillaries  reach  far  up,  and 
for  nearly  all  the  rest  of  their  extent  they  are  received  betwixt 
long,  pointed  processes  of  the  frontal.  Similarly,  the  superior 
maxillary  runs  up  in  a  recess  of  the  frontal  to  a  point  opposite 
the  ends  of  the  nasals.  This  deep  wedging  of  lateral  processes 
of  the  frontal  between  processes  of  the  nasals  and  maxillaries 
forms  a  complete  letter  W,  better  marked  than  in  any  other 
North  American  genera  of  the  family,  though  they  all,  excepting 
Lutra  and  Enkydris,  show  an  approach  to  the  same  character. 
The  anteorbital  foramen  is  large  and  rather  triangular  than  cir- 
cular. The  orbits  are  much  better  defined  than  in  Slustelbuv 
and  Mej)hitm(c — not  that  supraorbital  processes  are  stronger 
than  usual,  but  because  the  zygoma  sends  up  a  spur  to  mark 
the  orbital  brim  below — much  as  in  the  others.  The  approxi- 
mation of  these  two  (zygomatic  and  supraorbital)  processes 
completes  about  two-thirds  of  a  circle.  The  point  of  greatest 
constriction  of  the  skull  is  a  little  back  of  the  supraorbital  pro- 
cesses, at  a  point  about  midway  in  the  whole  length  of  the 
skull ;  except  in  some  very  old  skulls,  the  constriction  is  little, 
if  any,  greater  than  that  of  the  interorbital  space.  The  top  of 
the  skull  is  marked  with  an  average  sagittal  crest,  whence 
forks  curve  outward  to  the  supraorbital  processes.  In  young 
specimens,  there  is  little  or  no  trace  of  these  ridges.  The  occip- 
ital crests  appear  more  flaring  than  they  really  are,  owing  to 
the  general  breadth  of  the  skull  behind ;  they  are  in  fact  only 
moderately  developed  in  the  oldest  specimens,  excepting  at 
their  lateral  extremities.  From  a  moderate  median  emargina- 
tion,  the  crests  proceed  on  either  hand  with  a  moderate  con- 
vexity, which  suddenly  increases  at  the  bend  around  to  the 


SKULL  AND  TEETH  OF  TAXIDEA  AMERICANA. 


271 


mastoid.  The  cranial  dome  considered  alone  has  little  infla- 
tion ;  the  lateral  outlines  run  nearly  straight  from  the  point  of 
greatest  constriction  to  the  back  root  of  the  zygoma.  This 
wedge  shape  contrasts  with  the  greater  inflation  of  the  cranial 
dome  in  most  other  Mustelklfv,  notably  Lutra  and  Enhydris. 

The  back  of  the  skull  has  a  general  triangular  shape,  with 
perpendicular  flat  face  and  irregular  strong  muscular  impres- 
sions. The  paroccipital  processes  are  rather  short,  wide,  and 
blunt;  they  descend  to  the  level  of  the  lower  border  of  the 
foramen  magnum,  which  latter  is  low  and  broad  across.  The 
condyles  are  short  and  very  broad,  their  articular  surfaces 
being  prolonged  toward  the  paroccipitals. 

In  profile,  the  skull  shows  a  single  general  declivity  from 
near  the  occiput  to  the  end  of  the  nasals,  thence  an  abrupt 
bend  down  to  the  teeth.  This  general  curve  is  sometimes  a 
little  sinuous,  owing  to  slight  depression  just  beliind  the  orbits, 
and  elevation  over  them.  The  jiosterior  outline  is  truncate, 
with  the  occipital  crest  curving  into  full  view  below.  The 
zygomata  are  very  little  arched  indeed — almost  straight ;  they 
are  stoutly  laminar,  with  a  strong  superior  orbital  process  an- 
teriorly, and  remarkably  developed  borders  of  the  deep  glenoid 
fossa.  Such  development  of  the  glenoid,  in  connection  with 
its  peculiar  shape  (the  front  border  overlaps  on  the  outer  '  alf, 
the  hinder  on  the  inner  half),  is  suflQcient  to  ordinarily  lock 
the  jaw  in  old  age.  But  this  peculiarity  is  not  so  strongly  pro- 
nounced as  it  is  said  to  be  in  Melcs.  The  same  thing  occasion- 
ally occurs  in  old  Otter  skulls.  The  orifice  of  the  meatus  au- 
ditorius  lies  wholly  between  the  border  of  the  glenoid  and  the 
well-developed  mastoid  process. 

The  floor  of  the  skull,  aside  from  its  mere  shape,  resembler 
that  of  the  Mustelinw  in  the  two  prominent  features  of  far  back- 
ward extension  of  the  bony  palate  and  great  inflation  of  the 
bullfe.  In  the  skulls,  with  moderately  inflated  bulhe,  the  ptilate 
ends  nearly  opposite  the  last  molars;  in  the  Otters,  with  the 
same  extent  of  palate  that  Taxidea  shows,  the  bullfe  are  quite 
flat.  The  palate  reaches  considerably  more  than  half-way  from 
the  incisors  to  the  foramen  magnum ;  about  half-way  from  the 
molars  to  the  end  of  the  pterygoids  the  palate  is  quite  plane ; 
the  incisive  foramina  are  very  short  and  broadly  oval.  The 
palate  ends  behind  with  a  simple  concave  edge,  or  nearly 
straight  transverse  one,  indifferently  nicked  on  the  median  line 
or  with  a  little  median  process.    The  alvelolar  borders  are  ap- 


I 


,'  I '.a 


pwi,«W'f'>|»i"i||iV'l'ia''i'>'  K'" 


I  !' 


272 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID/IC 


proximately  parallel — more  uearly  so  than  usual  iu  this  family. 
The  spread  of  the  zygomata  is  rather  more  thau  three-fifths 
the  total  length  of  the  skull;  the  outward  eurvature  is  greatest 
behind.  The  great  width  of  the  skull  behind  loaves  a  very 
broad  basilar  space,  notwithstanding  the  size  of  the  bulla'. 
This  space  narrows  but  little  as  it  advances  between  the  ptery- 
goids, and  is  uearly  tiat  throughout.  A  curious  character  is 
seen  iu  the  division  of  the  posterior  nares  into  two  by  a  ver- 
tical bony  septum  running  to  the  very  edge  of  the  palate,  and 
thence  projecting  into  view.  Skunks  and  Land  Otters  have 
such  a  septum,  but  it  is  not  complete  to  the  end  of  the  bony 
palate.  In  the  Sea  Otter,  it  is  represented  by  a  lamina  depend- 
ing from  the  roof  of  the  nares,  but  not  reaching  the  palate  for 
about  an  iuch  from  the  end  of  the  latter.  In  the  Martens, 
Weasels,  and  Wolverene  {Mustelinw),  there  is  nothing  whatever 
of  the  kind.  The  pterygoids  are  simply  laminar,  with  some 
little  irregularity  outside,  as  usual ;  they  are  moderately  hamu- 
late.  The  (comparatively)  immense  inflation  of  the  large  buUaj 
occupies  uearly  all  the  extent  of  the  periotic  bones ;  the  swell- 
ing is  immediate  all  along  the  interior  border;  outwardly  it 
subsides  in  a  moderately  tubular  meatus,  and  behind  it  is  re- 
placed by  a  concavity  around  the  foramen. 

The  mandible  is  massive;  the  ramus  lower  and  thicker  before 
than  behind ;  the  symphysis  long,  strong,  and  early  completed ; 
the  coronoid  low  and  of  peculiar  shape.  Its  apex  is  obtuse;  its 
front  border  nearly  straight,  but  its  hinder  border  divided  at 
an  abrupt  angle  into  a  lower  perpendicular  jjart  and  an  upper 
strongly  oblique  portion.  The  lower  border  of  the  ramus  is  a 
gentle  curve  along  the  symphyseal  portion,  thence  a  straight 
line  to  a  considerable  angle  abreast  of  the  last  molar,  thence 
straight  again  to  the  proper  angle  of  the  jaw,  which  is  small 
and  not  at  all  exflected.  In  young  animals,  the  same  border  is 
more  nearly  a  continuous  slight  curve  from  symphysis  to  the 
end.  The  condyle  is  very  broadly  transverse ;  its  articular  sur- 
face is  extensive,  with  a  peculiar  twist  to  correspond  with  the 
above  described  formation  of  the  glenoid  fossa. 

A  young  animal  should  be  examined  with  reference  to  the 
teeth,  as  the  characters  of  the  molars  become  much  obscured 
by  wear.  The  back  upper  molar  is  neither  narrowly  transverse 
as  in  the  Martens  and  Weasels,  nor  quadrate  as  in  the  Skunks 
and  Otters,  but  triangular;  and  iu  size  and  shape  it  is  not  very 
dissimilar  to  the  last  premolar.    Details  aside,  it  is  a  right-an- 


1 ,1 


SKULL  AND  TEKTH  OF  TAXIDEA  AMERICANA. 


273 


gleil  triangle  of  nearly  ecjiial  base  autl  perpendicular,  tUe  right 
angle  being  antero-internal,  the  longest  side  posteroexternal. 
When  entirely  unworn,  it  shows  six  or  eight  irregularly  dis- 
posed tubercles,  all  small,  the  general  surface  being  (juito  flat, 
and  there  being  no  notable  division,  by  sulcus  or  otherwise, 
into  different  portions,  such  as  the  crown  ol  this  tooth  presents 
in  most  Mitstelida:  The  lowest  [)art  of  the  tooth  is  a  small  cir- 
cular area  posteriorly.  This  tooth  roots  by  a  long  fang  exte- 
riorly, but  is  otherwise  simply  set  in  an  irregular  shallow 
depression.  The  last  premolar  is  likewise  approximately  an 
ecpiilateral  right-angled  triangle ;  but  in  this  case  the  right 
angle  is  anteroexterior,  the  hyi)othenuse  postero-interior.  It  is 
well  divided  into  an  outer  and  inner  moiety.  The  former  is 
produced  into  a  large  main  cusp,  with  prominent  heel  on  its 
front  base,  and  a  smaller  posterior  cusp.  The  low  inner  moiety 
shows  two  perfectly  distinct  conical  cusps;  one  anterior,  the 
larger,  with  a  cinguluni  around  its  base,  and  a  smaller  posterior 
elevation  directly  from  the  border  of  the  tooth.  The  middle 
premolar  is  a  simple  conical  cusp  with  a  slight  heel  posteriorly; 
it  is  two-rooted.  The  front  premolar  is  like  the  last  named, 
but  still  smaller.  I  have  never  seen,  In  the  adult  dentition, 
the  small  first  premolar  which  is  said  to  occur  "  in  young  ani- 
mals", nor  do  I  observe  anj'^  trace  of  such  tooth  in  a  young 
specimen  which  was  just  shedding  when  killed.  In  this  one, 
the  first  and  last  permanent  premolars  have  just  displaced  the 
earlier  ones,  but  the  middle  milk-premolar  is  still  present,  with 
the  future  one  visible  below  it,  about  to  push  it  away.  The 
presence  of  four  upper  premolars  can,  therefore,  only  charac- 
terize the  milk  dentition.* 

The  upper  canines  offer  no  special  points.  Of  the  incisors, 
the  outer  is  very  much  larger  than  the  rest;  indeed,  it  is  hardly 
more  exceetled  by  the  lower  canine  than  ihe  latter  is  by  the 
upper  canine,  and  its  superficial  resemblance  to  a  canine  is 
striking.  The  other  incisors  are  of  the  same  size,  regular,  with 
dilated  trilobate  ends. 

The  back  lower  molar,  as  elsewhere  in  the  family,  is  small, 
circular,  with  a  border  a  little  higher  before  and  behind  than 
at  the  sides.    It  abuts  against  the  depressed  back  part  of  the 

*  The  small  anteriur  upper  premolar  is  the  most  variable  tooth  iu  Muatelidw. 
It  persists  in  the  Lutra,- Enhydris,  Gulo,  Mnatela,  and  usually  for  a  time  iu 
Conepatua;  it  is  absent  in  the  adult  dentition  of  Taxiilea,  Mejihilis,  S^nlogalc, 

Putorlm. 

18  m 


\      I 


f'  i 


I'll 


i'       f 


274 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID.E. 


Upper  molar.  The  next  molar  is  large  and  more  complicated 
than  usual.  It  presents,  in  front,  a  large  cusp,  which,  with  the 
outer  one  of  a  i)air  of  median  cusps,  constitutes  the  trenchant 
edge  of  the  tooth ;  the  inner  cusp  of  the  median  pair  is  little 
smaller  than  the  other.  The  lower  back  part  of  this  tooth,  or 
its  tuberculous  portion,  which  abuts  against  the  back  upper 
molar,  is  seen,  when  entirely  unworn,  to  present  four  cusps, 
three  transversely  abreast,  whereof  the  niiddle  one  is  the 
largest,  and  a  posterior  one.  These  all  wear  down  level  in  the 
course  of  time,  and  indeed  very  old  skulls  show  this  whole 
tooth  almost  flat.  The  next  tooth— last  premolar — is  a  strong 
conical  cusp,  with  a  secondary  cusp  halfway  up  its  back 
border,  and  well- developed  posterior  heel;  the  anterior  border 
is  straight.  The  remaiulng  premolars,  successively  decreasing 
in  size,  are  like  the  last,  but  without  the  secondary  cusp.  The 
lower  canines  are  not  peculiar.  The  lower  incisors  are  smaller 
than  the  upper;  the  exterior  pair  are  little  larger  than  the 
rest,  and  obscurely  trilobate.  The  next  pair  reach  backward 
further  than  the  rest,  but  all  are  flush  on  the  front  face;  the 
four  inner  teeth  are  slightly  bilobate. 


Geographical  variation  in  the  skull. 

Like  other  species  of  the  present  family,  the  Badger  has 
been  discussed  in  this  regard  by  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen.*  His  results 
are  here  transcribed : — 

"The  subjoined  measurements  of  eleven  skulls  of  this  species 
(embracing  all  at  present  available)  show  also  a  well-marked 
southward  decrease  in  size.  A  fuller  series  would  be  more 
satisfactory,  but  would  doubtless  only  confirm  what  is  here  in- 
dicated. Six  of  the  specimens  are  from  rather  northern  locali- 
ties and  five  from  rather  southern  localities,  the  region  repre- 
sented extending  from  the  Upper  Missouri  southward  to  the 
Lower  Kio  Grande.  The  specimens  composing  the  two  series 
are  of  very  nearly  corresponding  ages.  The  northern  series 
(four  from  different  points  on  the  Upper  Missouri,  one  from 
Iowa,  and  one  from  Oregon)  average  5.00  in  length  and  3.18  in 
width,  the  extremes  being,  in  length,  5.22  and  4.92  (4.75  if  we 
include  one  rather  young  example),  the  width  ranging  from 
3.50  to  2.97.  The  southeru  series  (including  two  or  three  from 
the  vicinity  of  Matamoras,  Mexico,  and  one  each  from  New 

*  Bull.  U.  S.  Oeol.  and  Geo;;r.  Siuv.  vol.  ii.  no.  4,  pp.  330,  331. 


mm 


HISTORY    OP    THE    AMERICAN    BADGER 


275 


Mexici>  aiid  C.ilifornia)  avenvjfv^s  4.02  in  loiijEftli  anil  2.92  in 
widtli,  the  exf.reinos  belli-?,  in   length,  4.75  and  4..'»0,  and  in 
width,  3.07    nd  2.80. 

"Tlie  sktills,  and  especially  the  molar  teeth,  in  the  American 
Badgers,  vary  considerably  in  different  individuals,  as  long 
since  pointed  out  by  Professor  Baird.*  Sonthern  specimens 
differ  from  northern  ones  not  only  in  being  smaller,  but  some- 
what in  color,  so  that  the  T.  herlaniUeri  of  Professor  Baird  may 
perhaps  be  entitled  to  snbspeciflc  rank  [T,  americana  snbsp. 
herlandieri),  though  the  material  at  hand  indicates  that  the 
two  forms  will  be  found  to  thoroughly  intergrade.  The  chief 
differences  in  coloration  consist  in  the  more  reddish-gray  tint 
of  the  southern  form,  with  a  decided  tendency  to  a  continuous 
light  dorsal  stripe,  instead  of  this  stripe  being  restricted  to  the 

head. 

"  Mcasuremeiita  of  eleren  mIciiUs  of  Taxiuea  amkUicana. 


11505 
1178 
3148 

2078 
12908 
•20:)3 

4 1  on 
;t7ti7 

lliilO 
1135 


Locality. 


ja 

a 
o 


JO 


Kemarka. 


3. 50 
3.12 
3.07 


IJitppr  Missouri | !  5. 32 

do ; '5.12 

rlo ! I  4.75 

Quisciuntoii,  Iowa ' j  5.06 

FortKandall.  Dak | \  4.95 

Vpper  Des  Chutes,  Orog 1  4. 92 

Fort  Crook,  Cal.... \ 4.60 

Xew  Mexico 1 ■  4.50 

HatnuKiras,  ^[exico 1 i  4.75  j  2.94 

do , 4.66     2.85 

Texas   1 4.57     8.94 


3.25 
2.97 
3.07 
2.  fO 


Ratlier  young, 
luipeii'e'ct. 


Rather  young ;  Iwi-Utndicri. 
Iiedandien. 

do. 

-.do.' 


Uistory  of  the  American  Badger. 

The  early  history  of  the  American  Badger  is  curiously  in- 
v"'  ^.1,  not  only  with  that  of  the  European  species,  but  with 
several  entirely  different  animals.  The  celebrated  traveller, 
Kalm,+  speaks  of  the  occurrence  of  the  common  Badger  in 
Pennsylvania,  where,  he  adds,  it  is  called  "ground  hog*'.  But 
this  is  a  common  appellation  of  the  Woodchuck,  Arctomys  mo- 
nax,  to  which,  doubtless,  Kalm's  note  is  to  be  considered  to 
apply.  In  1750,  Brisson|  describes  A'-^Meles  a^&rt"  from  New 
York ;  but  this,  it  seems,  proved  to  be  an  albino  Baccoon,  Pro- 
cyon  lotor.  '"fiuffon,"  (says  Sir  John Eichardson,§)  "in  the  body 
of  his  great  work,  doubts  whether  the  Badger  be  an  inhabitant 
of  the  American  continent,"  ....  "but  afterwards,  in  tl       "st 


*"  U.  8.  and  Mex.  fiounil.  .Survey,  Zool.  p.  ai." 
i  Rfegne  Auitn.  p.  S-'if). 


t  Trav.  i.  p.  I«y. 
^  F.  B.-A.  i.  p.  :]8. 


m 


:-'|t 

:       ■■:  J* 

#' 


276 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


!i 


I: 


additiou  to  Lis  article  on  the  Glutton,  described  the  skin  of  a 
true  Badger,  which  he  received,  it  is  said,  from  Labrador,  under 
the  misapplied  name  of  Carcajou."  "We  find  the  same  confusion 
with  a  vernacular  name  of  the  Oulo  luseus  or  Wolverene  to  con- 
tinue for  many  years  among  French  naturalists;  thus,  in  1842, 
Gervais still  speaks  of  the  "Carkajou,  ou  Blaireau  d'Am^rique". 
I  am  not  able,  at  the  time  of  present  writing,  to  consult  Bution's 
work.  His  figure,  given  in  the  supplement  of  the  llistoire  Na- 
turelle  ("pi.  49"),  is  stated  to. have  been  afterw<ard  given  by 
Schreber,  in  1778,  as  plate  142 B  of  the  "  Siiugthiere".  Schre- 
ber's  work  is  not  ju.^  lovv  accessible  to  me.  Ho  is  cited  for  a 
name,  ^^Ursus  taxus''',  as  applicable  to  the  American  Badger, 
though  quoted  as  considering  our  species  as  distinct  from  the 
European. 

Pennant,  one  of  the  more  accurate  and  reliable  among  the 
early  writers,  is  sadly  at  fault  in  the  present  case.  After  treat- 
ing of  an  "American  Badger"  in  his  earlier  works,  he  afterward, 
in  the  xVrctic  Zoology,  as  above  quoted,  united  it  with  the  Eu- 
ropean Meles,  and,  besides  thus  confounding  it  with  a  totally 
different  species,  he  perpetuates  several  ecrors. ,  Thus  he  quotes 
Kalm  (see  last  paragraph)  for  its  supposed  occurrence  in  Penn- 
sylvania, and  si)eaks  of  its  being  "  sometimes  found  white  in 
America",  evidently  having Brisson's  albino  Itaccoon  in  view. 

Boddaert,  in  1784,  seems  to  have  been  the  first  to  bestow  a 
technical  appellation  upon  our  animal,  calling  it  Meles  taxus  var. 
americanus.  Zimmermann,  citing  Boddaert,  adopted  the  name 
Melcs  americanus  in  his  German  translation  of  Pennant's  Arctic 
Zoiilogy.  This  name  has  priority  over  all  others  that  have  come 
to  my  knowledge,  though  it  was  suffered  to  rest  almost  unno- 
ticed until  very  recently,  when,  in  1857,  it  was  formally  adopted 
by  Prof.  Baird,  whose  example  has  been  generally  followed  by 
subsequent  writers. 

Linnanis  (17GG)  makes  no  mention  whatever  of  an  American 
species  of  Badger.  Supposing  him  to  have  had  any  knowledge 
of  the  animal  from  Buffon,  his  unworthy  jealousy  of  the  great 
French  naturalist  would  have  led  him  to  studiously  ignore  the 
fact,  in  gratification  of  his  absurd  and  puerile  whim. 

The  name  labradoria,  or  labradorius,  by  which  our  Badger 
has  been  usually  known,  was  imposed  by  Gmelin  in  1788.  His 
Ursus  lahradorms  is  based  primarily  upon  Schreber's  plate 
142  P.  Other  citations  given  by  him  are,  the  "American  Bad- 
ger   of  Pennant,  Quad.  no.  143,  and  the  "  Carcajou  "  of  Buffon, 


HISTORY    OF    THE   AMERICAN    BADGER. 


277 


Snppl.  pi.  40.  The  habitat  is  given  as  "  Labrador  to  Iludson's 
Bay".  But  there  is  grave  reason  to  doubt  that  Buffon's  animal, 
which  furnished  the  material  for  his  and  Schreber's  plate,  came 
from  Labrador,  as  implied  in  Gmelin's  name.  This  point  was 
brought  up  b}'  Richardson,  who,  quoting  Baffoii's  words  "qu'il 
venoit  du  pays  des  Esquimaux",  adds,  "but  in  fact  it  may 
have  been  brought  actually  from  the  banks  of  tlie  Saskatche- 
wan by  souje  of  the  Canadian  fur  hunters."  In  this  uncer- 
tainty, it  is  fortunate  that  Gaielin's  name,  most  probably  ob- 
jectionable on  the  score  .of  geographical  inapplicability,  is  also 
anticipated  in  point  of  date.  Gmelin's  diagnosis  is  also  incor- 
rect, for  it  st'ems  that  his  phrase  "palmis  tetradac;tylis"  arose 
in  the  circumstance  that  Buffbn's  specimen  had  accidentiiUy 
lost  one  of  its  fore  toes. 

Early  in  the  present  century,  the  Badger  attracted  the  atten- 
tion of  Lewis  and  Clarke,  being  then  as  now  extremely  abundant 
in  the  regions  traversed  by  these  intrepid  explorers.  Under 
the  curious  name  of  ''braro",  the  animal  is  fully  described  by 
them  in  the  narrative  of  their  journey,  published  under  the 
editorship  of  Paul  Allen  in  1814,  for  the  first  time,  and  in  liuiny 
subsequent  editions.  This  word  "  braro"  is  obviously  a  corrupt 
rendering  of  the  French  "blaireau",  like  "brairo",  by  which 
nan\e  the  animal  was  known  to  the  Canadian  voyageurs;  the 
orthography  is  corrected  in  the  McVickar  edition.  It  is  curious 
to  trace  the  further  typographical  mangling  of  this  word, 
originally  written  wrong  by  the  travellers,  being  phonetically 
rendered  according  to  the  sound  which  caught  their  ears.  It 
is  spelled  "brarow"  or  "prarow"  in  the  Journal  of  Gass,  one 
of  their  companions;  and  "braibo"  is  found  in  Gerrard's  work 
above  cited.*  The  animal  described  by  Lewis  and  Clarke  fur- 
nished Harlan,  in  1825,  with  the  basis  of  a  nominal  species, 
Melcs  jefersonii,  considered  distinct  from  Jf.  lahradoria,  which 
is  also  given  by  this  author. 

In  182.3,  Thomas  Say  treated  of  this  species,  under  the  name 
of  Taxiis  InhrnAoricus ;  and  the  same  year  Mr.  Sabine  gave  us 
a  detailed  and  the  first  satisfactory  account  of  the  actual  diflfer- 
ences  in  external  characters  between  the  American  and  Euro- 
pean Badgers.  His  comparison  was  transcribed  by  Sir  John 
Itichfudson,  in  rhe  Fauna  Boreale  Americana,  182!).    The  latter 

•The  old  ilexicun  name  of  tbe  soutlicrii  Hii(l;;er,  Muifi  to  lie  reiKk-rud  "Tla- 
coyotl"  hy  Fernandez,  lias  snT-'ercd  as  1  ally,  1  ein .;  rendered  "  Lafiyotl"  and 
"  riacovoli.'"'  by  som(!  lati;  writers.  ^'-  •■' >  'vc,- 


.i!ii 


■iV'm 


li  !l 


1 

1- 

1- 

fl 

^rti 


m 


278 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


W 


author's  a  tide  remains  to-day  one  of  the  best,  on  the  whole, 
that  has  appeared,  covering  as  it  does  the  then  liuowu  ground, 
with  a  history,  description,  account  of  habits  and  geographical 
distribution,  a  sj  onymy,  and  a  very  characteristic  plate,  drawn 
by  Landseer.  Sir  John,  however,  noted  none  of  the  characters 
by  which  our  animal  is  geuerically  distinguished  from  the  Euro- 
pean Meles,  the  establishment  of  a  genus  Taxidca  being  left  to 
Waterhouse,  1838. 

An  index  to  the  general  later  history  of  this  species  is  afforded 
by  the  synonymatic  list  given  on  a  preceding  page  (p.  2G3) ;  it  is 
unnecessary  to  recite  the  various  authors  who  have  contributed 
to  our  knowledge  of  the  subject.  Audubon  and  Bachman's 
article,  however,  is  specially  noteworthy  as  illustrating  the 
habits  of  the  animal  in  confinement.  Portions  of  it  are  quoted 
beyond.  Baird's  notice  of  the  species  enters  very  fully  into 
the  technicalities  of  the  case.  J.  A.  Allen  has  discussed  the 
variability  of  the  skull,  with  special  reference  to  geographical 

distribution. 

Geographical  distribution. 

lam  not  aware  that  the  Badger  has  ever  been  traced  north- 
ward beyond  the  limit  of  its  distribution  long  ago  assigned  by 
llichardsou,  namely,  latitude  58°  north.  "  The  Meles  lahradoria  ", 
says  this  author,  "  frequents  the  sandy  plains  or  prairies  which 
skirt  the  Rocky  Mountains  as  far  north  as  the  banks  of  the  Peace 
River,  and  sources  of  the  River  of  the  Mountains,  in  latitude 
58°."  The  doubts  respecting  its  extension  in  British  America 
to  the  Atlantic  Ocean  have  already  been  expressed.  Mr.  Don- 
ald Gunn,  in  some  inedited  MSS.  which  have  come  into  my 
possession,  temporarily,  through  the  Smithsonian  Institution, 
speaks  of  the  animal  in  the  following  terms: — "The  Badger, 
called  by  the  Indians  'Weenusk',  inhabits  all  the  woody  dis- 
tricts south  and  west  of  Hudson's  Bay.  It  hybernates  duri»T 
the  long  winters,  entering  its  retreat  early  in  October  and 
remaining  under  ground  until  the  middle  of  May.  It  is  not 
often  met  with  on  the  shores  of  the  Bay,  but  is  found  at  a  dis- 
tance of  thirty  to  fifty  miles.  It  does  not  appear  to  inhabit  the 
woody  districts  east  of  Lake  Wiuipeg,  but  is  found  in  open 
places  to  the  westward  of  that  lake,  and  is  occasionally  met 
with  along  the  river  of  the  same  name."  It  is  well  known  to 
abound  in  the  region  of  the  Saskatchewan,  and  the  British 
territory  in  general  lying  immediately  uOrth  of  Dakota  and 
Montana  Territories.  ■ 


GEOGRAPHICAL    DISTRIBUTION   OP   THE   BADGER.     279 

Audubon  and  Bachman,  writing  in  1851,  state  that  they 
were  not  able  to  trace  the  Badger  within  a  less  distance  from 
the  Atlantic  than  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Union  (which 
stood  at  the  southeastern  corner  of  the  Territory  of  Montana 
as  at  present  bounded).  But  there  is  abundant  evidence  that 
the  species  formerly  occurred  far  east  of  the  Mississippi ;  and 
even  now  its  range  extends  to  that  river.  One  of  the  States 
along  the  Mississippi  has  in  fact  acquired  a  cant  name  from 
this  animal,  being  known  by  the  soubriquet  of  the  "  Badger 
State  ".  In  1858,  Prof.  Baird  gives  the  habitat  as  "  Iowa  and 
Wisconsin  to  the  Pacific  coast,  and  from  Arkansas  to  49°  N. 
lat.  (To  58°  N.  lat..  Rich.)"  •  The  animal  formerly  extended 
eastward  in  the  United  States  to  Ohio  at  least.  A  letter  ad- 
dressed by  Mr.  Edward  Orton,  not  long  since,  informs  me  of 
its  occurrence  near  Toledo  in  that  State,  about  twenty  years 
previously,  and  of  its  extinction  there  Mr.. Robert  Keunicott, 
in  1853-54,  has  the  species  among  the  mammals  of  Illinois ; 
while  in  Iowa,  writes  Mr.  Allen  in  1869,  "  the  species  is 
probably  nearly  as  numerous  as  formerly."  The  eastward 
range  in  the  United  States  to  Ohio,  Indiana,  Illinois,  Mich- 
igan, Iowa,  and  Minnesota,  as  well  as  the  oblique  trend  in 
British  America  to  Hudson's  Bay,  thus  makes  the  distribution 
of  the  animal  more  or  less  closely  coincident  with  that  of  some 
of  the  Spennophiles;  these  animals,  with  the  Badger  and  Kit 
Fox,  being  highly  characteristic  species  of  the  central  treeless 
region  of  the  United  States,  where  they  occur  in  countless 
multitudes. 

To  the  southward,  the  range  of  the  typical  Badger  cannot 
be  precisely  given,  for  the  reason  that  there  the  characters  of 
the  animal  melt  insensibly  into  those  of  the  Mexican  subspe- 
cies herlandieri.  The  change  becomes  marked  in  Texas,  New 
Mexico,  Arizona,  and  Southern  and  Lower  California.  I  have 
personally  traced  the  typical  form  into  Colorado,  and  it  is  said 
by  Drs.  Coues  and  Yarrow  to  be  very  common  throughout 
Western  Utah  and  Eastern  Nevada,  but  less  abundant  in  New 
Mexico  and  Arizona.  To  the  extraordinary  abundance  of  the 
animal  in  the  Upper  Missouri  country  I  shall  again  refer  in 
speaking  of  its  habits.  Dr.  J.  S.  Newberry  has  indicated  its 
abundance  in  Eastern  California,  Utah,  and  Oregon.  Mr. 
George  (Jibbs  says  that  the  Badger,  called  bj'  the  Yakima  In- 
dians Weehtlila,  was  not  seen  by  him  west  of  the  Cascade 
Mountains  of  Washington  Territory,  though  very  common  on 


■*i:: 


i::  m 


t 

II. 

Wi>'< 

% 

n 


280 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


the  dry  barreu  plaius  on  tlie  Yakima  Kiver,  and  also  on  the 
timberless  mountains  between  the  Yakima  and  the  Columbia. 
In  certain  sections  of  that  Territory,  as  for  instance  the  Sim- 
coo  Valley,  the  species  is  represented  by  Dr.  Snckley  as  so 
abundant  that  riding  becomes  dangerous  from  the  number  of 
the  burrows.  The  writer  last  mentioned  adds  a  paragraph  on 
the  general  east  and  west  distribution  of  the  species,  as  fol- 
lows : — 

"Found  sparingly  in  the  eastern  portion  of  Minnesota;  be- 
ing mort  abundant  i>ear  the  Missouri.  From  thence,  after 
entering  Nebraska  [L  e.,  the  present  Territories  of  Dakota  and 
Montana],  it  extends  almost  all  the  way  to  the  dividing  ridge  of 
the  Cascade  Mountains,  near  the  Pacific  coast.  Farther  w^est 
it  does  not  go,  at  least  north  of  the  Columbia.  1  have  seen  it 
in  the  St.  Mary's  Valley,  at  the  western  base  of  the  main 
chain  of  the  llocky  mountains,  and  as  far  south  in  Oregon  as 
the  vicinity  of  Fort  Bois6  on  the  Snake  or  Lewis  river.  They 
are  most  abundant  (north  of  Utah)  in  the  vicinity  of  Powder 
river,  Oregon,  and  the  Yakima,  one  of  the  northern  tributa- 
ries of  the  Columbia." 

Hahitn. 

The  Badger  is  one  of  the  most  secret  animals  of  this  country — 
one  whose  habits  and  whose  whole  nature  tend  to  screen  it  from 
observation  so  thoroughly  that  much  of  our  knowledge  is  a  re- 
sult of  reasonable  inference  rather  than  a  matter  of  actual  expe- 
rience, while  some  of  the  most  important  points  respecting  its 
economy  remain  to  be  ascertained  with  precision.  As  will  have 
been  gathered  from  what  has  preceded,  it  lives  altogether  in 
holes  in  the  ground,  for  the  excavation  of  which  its  whole  struct- 
ure is  adapted.  Other  animals  are  as  decidedly  fossorial  as 
the  Badger,  and  like  it  live  underground,  but  the  Badger,  un- 
like its  usual  associates,  the  Prairie-dogs  {Cynomys)  and  other 
Spermophiles,  does  not  continually  appear  in  view;  rather,  it 
leads  a  life  almost  as  completely  subterranean  as  that  of  the 
Gophers  ( Geomys  and  Thomomys)^  or  even  of  the  Mole  itself.  In 
the  colder  latitudes,  moreover,  it  hibernates  during  a  consid- 
erable portion  of  the  year.  I  have  travelled  for  days  and  weeks 
in  regions  where  Badgers  abounded,  and  where  their  innumer- 
able burrows  offered  the  principal  obstacle  to  progress  on  horse- 
back or  by  wheeled  conveyance,  yet  the  number  of  Badgers  I 
have  actually  seen  alive,  in  a  state  of  nature,  might  be  told  oft' 


HABITS    OF    THE    BADGER. 


281 


on  the  fingers  of  either  hand.  Most  of  the  individuals  I  have 
laid  eyes  on  were  in  sight  but  a  few  moments,  as  they  hurried 
into  the  nearest  hole.*"  On  one  occasion,  however,  a  Badger, 
croucb'ng  at  the  mouth  of  its  burrow  in  fancied  security,  allowed 
me  to  approach  and  kill  it  with  a  shot ;  but  I  should  add  that 
this  imprudent  individual  was  but  half-grown,  and  probably 
had  never  seen  a  man  before. 

I  -lave  found  Badgers  in  countless  numbers  nearly  through- 
out the  region  of  the  Upper  Missouri  Kiver  and  its  tributaries. 
I  do  not  see  how  they  could  well  be  more  numerous  anywhere. 
In  some  favorite  stretches  of  sandy,  sterile  soil,  their  burrows 
are  everywhere,  together  with  those  of  Kit  Foxes,  Prairie-dogs, 
and  Sperniophiles,  and,  as  already  said,  these  holes  are  a  source 
of  annoyance  and  even  danger  to  the  traveller.  In  ordinary  jour- 
neying, one  has  to  keep  constant  lookout  lest  his  horse  suddenly 
goes  down  under  him,  with  a  fore  leg  deep  in  a  Badger-hole; 
and  part  of  the  training  of  the  western  horse  is  to  make  him 
look  out  for  and  avoid  these  pitfalls.  In  the  Buffalo  country 
particularly.  Badgers  live  in  extraordinary  numbers,  attracted 
and  retained  by  the  surety  of  abundant  food-supply;  and  there 
are  places  where  the  chase  of  the  Buffalo  <  i  horseback  is  abso- 
lutely impracticable,  except  at  a  risk  to  life  or  limb  which  few 
are  willing  to  run. 

The  burrows  of  the  Badger  are  known  from  those  of  the 
Prairie-dog  and  other  Spernopbiles  by  their  greater  dimensions ; 
besides,  they  differ  from  the  former  in  never  being  built  up 
around  the  entrance  into  the  regular  mound  or  circular  buttress 
which  usually  surmounts  the  well-kept  domicile  of  the  Cynomys. 
From  the  holes  of  Kit  Foxes  and  Coyotes,  they  are  not  dis- 
tinguishable with  any  certainty ;  in  fact,  it  is  probable  that  these 
animals  frequently  or  almost  habitually  occupy  deserted  bur- 
rows of  the  Badger,  remodelled,  if  need  I  e,  to  suit  their  con- 
venience. But  it  must  not  be  supposed  th.  t  all  of  the  innumer- 
able Badger-diggings  are  the  residences  of  these  animals.  The 
Badger,  too  slow  of  foot  to  capture  the  nimble  Rodents  which 
form  its  principal  food,  perpetually  seeks  them  in  their  own 
retreats;  and  it  is  the  work  of  a  few  minutes  for  this  vigorous 
miner  to  so  far  enlarge  their  burrows  that  it  can  enter  and  reach 
the  deepest  recesses.  In  places  where  tjie  Badgers  and  Spernio- 
philes most  abound,  the  continual  excavation  of  the  soil  by 
these  animals  fairly  undermines  and  honeycombs  the  ground. 
The  Bfidgers,  though  not  migratory,  are  sometimes  attracted 


km 


;j.    hi. 


rill 

'  m 


282 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELIDiE. 


1 1 


it 

iJs!  I 

M  ij 


ir 

i; 


or  focussed  as  it  were,  from  a  large  area  ia  some  particular  spot 
which  temporarily  offers  special  attraction  in  the  way  of  a  food- 
supply.  Thus,  I  have  in  mind  a  place  on  the  Mouse  River, 
Dakota,  where  there  had  been  not  long  before  a  grand  battue 
of  Buffalo  by  the  Indians,  and  where  the  number  of  Badger- 
holes,  then  deserted,  exceeded  anything  I  La  J  before  seen  or 
have  since  witnessed. 

The  abundance  of  the  Badgers  might  bo  expected,  in  view  of 
the  fact  that  they  have  very  few  enemies.  The  animals  are 
stout  and  determined  enough  to  stand  off  Wolves  and  Foxes  ; 
they  seldom  vfvture  far  from  their  secure  retreats;  and  in  fact 
I  know  of  no  indigenous  mammal  which  habitually  preys  upon 
or  otherwise  destroys  them.  A  Badger  ensconced  in  its  hole 
would  be  a  formidable  antagonist  which  few  animals  would  care 
to  molest.  Their  immunity  from  danger,  part'y  the  result  of 
their  physical  prowess,  part'y  secured  by  the  practically  impreg- 
nable nature  of  their  resorts,  together  with  the  abundance  of 
food  and  the  ease  with  which  it  is  secured,  tends  to  the  firm  per- 
petuation and  continual  increase  of  the  species  in  all  unsettled 
portions  of  the  country.  Man  is  the  principal  enetfiy  of  the 
Badger,  destroying  thousands  annually  for  his  convenience  or 
luxury. 

Besides  the  Spermophiles,  Arvicolas,  and  other  small  quadru- 
peds which  furnish  its  staple  diet,  the  Badger  is  said  to  prey 
upon  a  variety  of  humbler  animals,  even  insects  and  snails,  and 
to  eat  birds'  eggs.  As  to  the  last  named,  there  is  a  large  sup- 
ply on  the  western  prairies,  where  many  kinds  of  small  birds, 
in  great  multitudes,  nest  upon  the  ground.  Mr.  W.  H.  Gibson 
refers  to  an  especial  fondness  of  the  Badger  for  the  stores  of 
wild  bees ;  the  honey,  wax,  and  grubs  being  alike  devoured.* 
Audubon  has  figured  the  Badger  with  a  Shore  Lark  [Eremo- 
phila  alpestris)  in  its  grasp.    Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  speaks  of  finding 


*  I  am  not  sure,  however,  that  the  actual  reference  is  not  to  the  European 
Badger,  whose  apivorous  habit  has  long  been  known.  "  Buifon  states  that  it 
tligs  up  wasps'  nests  for  the  sake  of  the  honey  ;  —  a  fact  which  has  received 
an  interesting  confirmation  from  the  observation  of  a  correspondent  of  Lou- 
don's Magazine  of  Natural  History,  who  seems,  however,  to  attribute  the 
destruction  of  these  nests  to  the  fondness  of  the  Badger  for  the  larva>  of  the 
wasp,  as  he  says  that  the  combs  were  found  scattered  about,  but  none  were 
left  that  contained  the  maggots.  This  predilection  of  the  Badger  for  honey 
offers  a  striking  analogy  to  several  others  of  the  group,  psirticularly  to  its 
Oriental  relation  the  Ratel,  MeUivora  Capensis,  which  is  known  to  live 
principally  upon  it." — (Ukm.'s  Jiritish  Quadrupeds,  ed.  of  1837,  pp.  123-4.) 


'TO 


HABITS    OF   THE   BADGER. 


283 


the  bones  and  wool  of  lambs  iu  its  burrows,  though  the  unimal 
is  not  generally  regarded  as  injurious  by  the  farmers. 

The  Badger  has  been  called  a  "  timid  "  animal.  So  it  is,  in 
the  sense  that  it  avoids  rather  than  confronts  impending  danger ; 
but  this  is  simply  the  instinctive  prudence  and  discretion  of  a 
creature  which  prefers  the  absolute  immunity  of  its  subterra- 
nean resorts  tc  the  chances  of  unequal  combat  in  which  it  is  at 
disadvantage.  Certainly,  no  lack  of  courage,  determination, 
and  physical  endurance  is  seen  when  the  creature,  captured  or 
cut  off"  from  its  retreat,  is  brought  to  bay.  Its  pluck  is  then 
as  conspicuous  as  its  really  formidable  strength.  The  cruel 
sport  of  "Badger-baiting"  is  sometimes  indulged  in  the  West ; 
and  if  the  animal  be  given  a  barrel  or  similar  retreat  in  which 
it  is  secure  from  attack  in  the  rear,  it  may  prove  more  than  a 
match  for  a  strong  dog.  Indeed,  the  fighting  qualities  of  the 
Badger,  and  stubborn  resistance  it  offers  at  whatever  unfair 
odds,  have  supplied  our  language  with  a  word  of  peculiar  sig- 
nificance :  to  "  badger"  is  to  beset  on  all  sides  and  harass  and 
worry.  The  stout,  thick-set,  and  depressed  shape  of  the  animal 
is  greatly  in  its  favor,  combining  with  the  long  loose  hair  to 
prevent  a  dog  from  reaching  vulnerable  parts,  and  to  embarrass 
it  in  attempting  to  take  hold  ;  the  snap  of  the  jaws  inflicts  a 
serious  wound;  and, finally,  the  tenacity  of  life  is  at  a  high 
rate.  . 

A  sketcli  of  this  animal,  from  the  pen  of  Dr.  J.  S.  Newberry, 
gives  corroborative  evidence  of  the  Badger's  powers  of  self- 
defence;  I  transcribe  the  passages  at  some  length,  as  they 
afford  other  items  iu  the  natural  history  of  the  species: — 

"  In  traversing  the  arid  surfaces  of  the  sage  plains  of  eastern 
California,  Utah,  and  Oregon,  there  is,  perhaps,  no  one  thing 
which  the  traveller  may  be  more  sure  of  seeing  every  day  of 
his  journey  than  the  burrow  of  a  badger ;  and,  after  cursing  the 
country,  and  the  folly  which  led  him  to  cross  these  barren,  hot, 
and  dusty  surfaces,  there  is  nothing  he  will  more  certainly  do, 
whether  on  foot  or  mounted,  than  tumble  into  one  of  these 
same  badger  holes,  and  yet  the  chances  are  more  than  equal 
that  he  never  sees  a  living  badger  on  which  to  revenge  him- 
self; for  the  badger  is  a  shy  and  tiujid  animal,  and  the  country 
he  inhabits  is  so  open,  it  rarely  happens  that  he  is  surprised  at 
a  distance  from  his  burrow.  During  our  march  of  several 
hundred  miles  through  the  country  inhabited  by  the  badger 
this  did  occur,  however,  on  one  or  two  occasions,  and  gave  rise 


Hi:    111 


:  m 


284 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.K 


w 


Bfr 


to  some  liulicron8  scenes.  The  badger,  tlioiigh  far  from  formi- 
dable, is  too  well  provided  with  teeth  to  be  handled  without 
gloves  ;^  and  knowing  that  hia  only  safety  when  attacked  is  in 
plunging  to  the  bottom  of  his  barrow,  his  pig-headed  pertinacity 
in  endeavoring  to  reach  it  is  such,  that  an  unarmed  man  finds 
it  difficult  to  stop  him. 

"  Mr.  Anderson^  who  gave  me  most  efficient  aid  in  collecting, 
came  one  day  suddenly  upon  a  badger  at  some  distance  from 
his  hole;  of  course  he  made  for  it  with  all  possible  speed,  which, 
it  should  <»o  said,  is  not  so  great  but  that  a  man  could  easily 
overtake  one.  Mr.  Anderson  at  first  endeavored  to  trample 
him  under  his  horse's  feet,  but,  though  he  ran  over  him  several 
times,  the  badger  avoided  the  hoofs  and  received  no  injury. 
As  we  had  not  then  obtained  a  specimen,  he  was  particularly 
anxious  to  secur  '.is  one,  so  he  drove  his  horse  before  him,  and 
brought  him  to  bay.  He  then  jumped  off,  hoping,  by  means  of 
kicks  and  his  sheath-knife,  to  dispatch  him ;  but  the  badger, 
instead  of  retreating,  came  at  him  open-mouthed,  and  with 
such  a  show  of  ferocity  that  he  was  tain  to  let  him  pass,  trust- 
ing to  fin<l  a  club  to  kill  him  with ;  but  in  that  region  clubs  do 
not  'grow  on  every  bush,'  for  most  of  the  bushes  are  sage 
bushes,  and  before  he  found  any  sort  of  stick  the  badger  had 
reached  his  hole.  Two  days  after  I  became  indebted  to  him 
for  a  fine  specimen,  which  a  long  rifleshot  had  dropped  at  the 
entrance  of  his  burrow.  Another,  while  leisurely  following  an 
old  trail,  apparently  on  a  journey,  was  overtaken  and  killed 
by  some  of  our  soldiers.  Seeing,  perhaps  the  hopelessness  of 
the  attempt,  he  made  no  effort  to  escape,  but  a  vigorous  defence, 
and  was  only  dispatched  with  some  difliculty." 

Sir  John  Richardson  narrates  an  incident  which,  further  illus- 
trates the  prowess  of  this  stubborn,  sullen  customer.  "  The 
strength  of  its  forefeet  and  claws  is  so  great,"  says  he,  "  that 
one  which  had  insinuated  only  its  head  and  shoulders  into  a 
hole,  resisted  the  utmost  endeavors  of  two  stout  young  men 
who  endeavored  to  drag  it  out  by  the  hind  legs  and  tail,  until 
one  of  them  fired  the  contents  of  his  fowling-piece  into  its 
body."  This  is  quite  a  match  for  the  stories  told  of  the  Arma 
dillo  itself.  "  Early  in  the  spring,  however,"  the  author  con- 
tinues, ''  when  they  first  begin  to  stir  abroad,  they  may  easily 
be  caught  by  pouring  water  into  their  holes ;  for  the  ground 
being  frozen  at  that  perio  I,  the  water  does  not  escape  through 


Tm 


HAIIITS    OF    TIIK    BADGER. 


285 


the  saiul,  but  soon  tills  the  hole,  and  its  teiiiuit  is  obliged  to 
come  out." 

The  author  of  the  "Complete  American  Trapper  "  also  refers 
to  this  method  of  taking  Badgers,  and  adds  others: — "Although 
his  general  appearance  would  not  indicate  it,  lie  is  a  sly  and 
cunning  animal  and  not  easily  capturetl  in  a  trap  of  any  kind. 
He  has  been  known  to  set  at  defiance  all  the  traps  that  were 
set  for  him,  and  to  devour  the  baits  without  suffering  from  his 
audacity.  He  will  sometimes  overturn  a  trap  and  spring  it 
from  the  under  side,  before  attempting  to  remove  the  bait. 
Although  not  quite  as  crafty  as  the  fox,  it  is  necessary  to  use 
much  of  the  same  caution  in  trapping  the  badger,  as  a  bare 
trap  seldom  wins  more  than  a  look  of  contempt  from  the  wary 
animal.  The  usual  mode  of  catching  the  creature  is  to  set  the 
trap,  size  No.  3  [the  so-called  fox-trap,  with  springs  at  each 
end],  at  the  mouth  of  its  burrow,  carefully  covering  it  with 
loose  earth  and  securing  it  by  a  chain  to  a  stake.  Any  of  the 
methods  used  in  trapping  the  fox  will  be  found  to  work  ad- 
mirably. The  dead-fall  or  garrote  will  also  do  good  service. 
Bait  with  a  rat,  mouse,  or  with  whatever  (,'.se  the  animal  is 
specially  fond,  and  scent  with  oil  of  anise  or  musk.  In  early 
spring,  while  the  ground  is  still  hard,  badgers  are  easily  cap- 
tured by  flooding." 

The  .reproduction  of  the  species  does  not  appear  to  be  fully 
known.  I  have  no  personal  information  on  this  score,  beyond 
the  fact  that  I  once  secured  a  still  ungrown  animal  in  Colorado 
during  the  latter  part  of  August.  The  writer  last  (luoted  says 
that  the  nest  is  made  in  the  burrow  (as  indeed  is  unquestion- 
able), and  that  the  young  are  three  or  four  in  number.  Eich- 
ardson,  referring  to  the  hibernation  of  the  Badger  in  British 
America  from  November  to  April,  states  that,  like  Bears,  the 
animals  do  not  seem  to  lose  much  flesh  during  the  winter,  for 
they  are  observed  to  be  very  fat  when  they  come  abroad  in  the 
spring;  and  adds  that,  as  they  pair  at  once,  they  soon  become 
lean.  The  periods  of  gestation  and  lactation  are  probably  un- 
known.   ■     •  * 

The  habits  and  manners  of  the  Badger  in  confinement,  to 
which  we  will  next  turn  attention,  have  been  attentively  studied 
by  Audubon  and  Bachman,  who  have  given  an  interesting  ac- 
count, here  transcribed  in  full: — 

"  During  our  stay  at  Fort  Union,  on  the  Upper  Missouri  Ri  ver^ 
in  the  summer  of  1843,  we  purchased  a  living  Badger  from  a 


iia 


'  '■>  m 


286 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID/E. 


n 


squaw,  who  had  brought  it  from  soino  (listance  to  the  fort  for 
sale ;  it  having  been  cantrht  by  aiiother  squaw  at  a  place  nearly 
two  hundred  and  tifty  miles  away,  among  the  Crow  Indians. 
It  was  Hrst  placed  in  our  common  room,  but  was  found  to  bo 
so  very  mischievous,  pulling  about  and  tearing  to  i)ieces  every 
article  within  its  reach,  trying  to  dig  up  the  stones  of  the  hearth, 
«S:c ,  that  we  had  it  removed  into  an  adjoining  apartnient.  It 
was  regularly  fed  morning  and  evening  on  raw  meat,  either 
the  tiesh  of  anitnals  procured  by  our  hunters,  or  small  birds  shot 
during  our  researches  through  the  adjacent  country.  It  drank 
a  good  deal  of  water,  and  was  rather  cleanly  in  its  habits.  In 
the  course  of  a  few  days  it  managed  to  dig  a  hole  under  the 
hearth  and  fire-placo  nearly  large  and  deep  enough  to  conceal 
its  body,  and  we  were  obliged  to  drag  it  out  by  main  force  when- 
ever we  wished  to  examine  it.  It  was  provoked  at  the  near 
approach  of  any  one,  and  growled  continuously  at  all  intruders. 
It  was  not,  however,  very  vicious,  and  would  suifer  one  or  two 
of  our  companions  to  handle  and  play  with  it  at  times. 

"At  that  period  this  Badger  was  about  Ave  mouths  old,  and 
was  nearly  as  large  as  a  full  grown  wood-chuck  or  ground-hog, 
{Arctomys  monax.)  Its  fur  was  of  the  usual  colour  of  summer 
pelage,  and  it  was  quite  a  pretty  looking  animal.  Weconcluded 
to  bring  it  to  New  York  alive,  if  possible,  and  succeeded  in  doing 
so  after  much  trouble,  it  having  nearly  made  its  escape  more 
than  once.  On  one  occasion,  when  our  boat  was  made  fast  to 
the  shore  for  the  night,  and  we  were  about  to  make  our  'camp,* 
the  Badger  gnawed  his  way  out  of  the  box  in  which  he  was  con- 
lined,  and  began  to  range  over  the  batteau ;  we  rose  as  speedily 
as  possible,  and  striking  a  light,  commenced  a  chase  after  it 
with  the  aid  of  one  of  the  hands,  and  caught  it  by  casting  a  buf- 
falo robe  over  it.  The  cage  next  day  was  wired,  and  bits  of  tin 
put  in  places  where  the  wooden  bars  had  been  gnawed  through, 
so  that  the  animal  could  not  again  easily  get  out  of  its  prison. 
After  having  become  accustomed  to  the  box,  the  Badger  became 
quite  playful  and  took  exercise  by  rolling  himself  rapidly  from 
one  end  to  the  other,  and  then  back  again  with  a  reversed  move- 
ment, continuing  this  amusement  sometimes  for  an  hour  or  two. 

"On  arriving  at  our  residence  in  New  ^ork,  we  had  a  large 
box,  tinned  on  the  inside,  let  into  the  ground  about  two  feet  and 
a  half  and  filled  to  the  same  depth  with  earth.  The  Badger 
was  put  into  it,  and  in  a  few  minutes  made  a  hole,  in  which  he 
seemed  quite  at  home,  and  where  he  passed  most  of  his  time 


wm 


IIAIJITS    OF   THE    BADGER. 


287 


during  the  winter,  altbou|j;li  be  always  came  out  to  tJike  his  food 
and  water,  and  did  not  appear  at  all  sluggish  or  inclined  to 
hibernate  even  when  the  weather  was  so  cold  as  to  make  it 
necessary  to  pour  hot  water  into  the  pan  that  was  placed  within 
his  cage,  to  enable  him  to  drink,  as  cold  water  would  have 
frozen  immediately,  and  in  fact  the  pan  generally  had  a  stratum 
of  ice  on  tbe  bottom  which  the  hot  water  dissolved  when  poured 
in  at  feeding-time. 

•'  Our  Uadger  was  fed  regularly,  and  soon  grew  very  fat ;  its 
coat  changed  completely,  became  woolly  and  a  butfbrown 
color,  and  tbe  fur  hy  the  month  of  February  had  become  in- 
deed the  most  ellectual  protection  against  cold  that  can  well 
be  imagined. 

"  We  had  an  opportunity  in  Charleston  of  observing  almost 
daily  for  a  fortnight,  the  habits  of  a  Badger  in  a  menagerie  ; 
he  was  rather  gentle,  and  would  sutter  himself  to  be  played 
with  and  fondled  by  his  keeper,  but  did  not  appear  as  well 
pleased  with  strangers;  he  occasionally  growled  at  us,  and 
would  not  suffer  us  to  examine  him  without  the  presence  and 
aid  of  his  keeper. 

"  In  running,  his  fore  feet  crossed  each  other,  and  his  body 
nearly-  touched  the  ground.  The  heel  did  not  press  on  the 
ground  like  that  of  the  bear,  but  was  only  slightly  elevated 
above  it.  He  resembled  the  Maryland  marmot  in  running, 
and  progressed  with  about  the  same  speed.  We  have  never 
seen  any  animal  that  could  exceed  him  in  digging.  He  would 
fall  to  work  with  his  strong  feet  and  long  nails,  and  in  a  min- 
ute bury  himself  in  the  earth,  and  would  very  soon  advance  to 
the  end  of  a  chain  ten  feet  in  length.  In  digging,  the  hind,  as 
well  as  the  fore  feet,  were  at  work,  the  latter  for  tiie  purpose  of 
excavating,  and  the  former,  (like  paddles,)  for  expelling  the 
earth  out  of  the  hole,  and  nothing  seemed  to  delight  him  more 
than  burrowing  in  the  ground ;  he  seemed  never  to  become 
weary  of  this  kind  of  amusement ;  and  when  he  had  advanced 
to  the  length  of  his  chain  he  would  return  and  commence 
a  fresh  gallery  near  the  mouth  of  the  first  hole ;  thus  he 
would  be  occupied  for  hours,  and  it  was  necessary  to  drag  him 
away  by  main  force.  He  lived  on  good  terms  with  the  rac- 
coon, gray  fox,  prairie  wolf,  and  a  dozen  other  species  of 
animals.  He  was  said  to  be  active  and  playful  at  night,  but 
he  seemed  rather  dull  during  the  day,  usually  lying  rolled  up 
like  a  ball,  with  his  head  under  his  body  for  hours  at  a  time. 


,.;        ;  '  .( 

V      ■'■>.' 

ff     •;., 

.if     ,  i--' 

288 


NORTrt    AMERICAX   MUSTELID.T:. 


"  The  IJadj^'tT  did  not  refuse  bread,  but  preferred  meat, 
making  two  meals  during  the  day,  and  eating  about  half  a 
pound  at  eacli. 

"  We  occasionally  saw  him  assuming  rather  an  interesting 
attitude,  raising  the   fore  part  of  his  body  from  the  earth, 
drawing  bis  feet  along  bis  sides,  sitting  up  in  the  manner  of 
the  marmot,  and  turning  his  head  in  all  directions  to  make 
observations." 

The  assuming  of  this  attitude  may  have  been  a  result  of 
confinement,  as  I  have  not  observed  it  when  I  have  seen  the 
animal  in  a  state  of  nature,  nor  does  it  appear  to  have  been 
noticed  by  others.  The  Badger,  above  all  our  other  animals, 
is  notable  for  its  flatness ;  aven  when  running  it  looks  broad 
and  flat,  and  the  belly  seems  to  sweep  the  ground  during  its 
rather  slow,  heavy,  and  awkward  progress.  Seen  when 
crouching  in  fancied  security  or  hoping  to  escape  observa- 
tion (and  it  will  sometimes  remain  long  motionless  in  this 
posture,  permitting  near  approach),  the  animal  might  easily 
be  mistaken  for  a  stone  or  clod  of  earth  ;  the  very  hairs  lie 
flat,  as  if  "parted  in  the  middle",  and  form  a  fringe  along 
citlier  side,  projecting,  as  one  writer  has  remarked,  like  the 
shell  of  a  turtle  or  the  eaves  of  a  house.  The  peculiar  pattern 
of  coloration  is  then  disi)layed  to  best  advantage.  Under 
anger  or  irritation,  the  animal  bristles  up  its  hair,  and  appears 
much  larger  than  it  really  is. 

The  flesh,  of  tbe  Badger,  like  that  of  the  Skunk,  is  eatable, 
and  doubtless  often  eaten  by  savage  tribes,  though  not  to  be 
recommended  to  a  cultivated  palate.  The  specimens  I  have 
skinned,  even  the  young  one  before  mentioned  in  this  article, 
emitted  during  tbe  process  such  rank  and  foul  odor  as  to  be 
simply  disgusting.  The  Badger  yields  a  valuable  and  at  times 
fashionable  fur,  used  for  robes,  and  for  mufl's,  tippets,  and 
trimmings.  Thousands  of  shaving-brushes  are  said  to  be  an- 
nually made  from  the  long  bairs,  which  are  also  extensively 
used  in  the  manufacture  of  artists'  materials,  one  of  which  is 
a  "  badger-blender ".  In  1873,  tbe  London  sales  of  Badger 
skins  by  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  were  2,700,  at  prices 
varying  from  one  to  seven  shillings,  averaging  Is.  Qd.  The  lead- 
ing American  journal  of  the  fur  trade  in  1876  quoted  Badger 
skins  at  $1  for  prime,  50  cents  for  "  seconds",  and  10  cents  for 
"  thirds".  The  colors  of  the  Badger  pelt,  though  not  striking, 
are  pleasing,  being  an  intimate  and  harmonious  blending  of 
gray,  tawny,  black,  and  white,  the  colors  ringed  in  alternation 


TAXIDEA    AMEKICANA    BERLANDIERI. 


289 


pray,  tawny,  black,  and  wliiti',  tlui  ctolors  rin^jcd  in  alternation 
on  individual  hairs.  The  {jray  pnMloniinatt's,  the  {icniTal 
♦' tone"  or  effect  beinjj  a  gr'^-^l*'*!  H^'^yi  wiiieh  has  given  rise 
to  the  well  known  adage,  "an  gray  as  a  Badger". 

The  I?Iv\ican  Badger. 

Taixi«l<>n  nin«irleaiia  berlniMllerl. 

Mrlcs  labrndorln,  lii-nnctt.  V. '/,.  S.  ISHn,  43  ("Ciilifornia".    Vurtfibrnl  Btripe  contlnuous).- 

nieh.  Zool.  nueclitw'H  Voy.  18;»9,  p.  9*. 
fTuxidea  Ubrodorla,  Waterh.  V.  Z.  8.  I83H,  1S4. 
Tax  Idea  blTlundicrl,  liairA,  M.  N.  A.  1857,  905,  pi.  39,  f.  X.—Hd.  Mox.  V,.  Siirv.  li.  pt.  li.  1859, 

Mniiitii.  91. 
Taxidcii  amerlrHim  mt.  cuHrornicil,  Qrayy  P.  Z.  S.  1665,  141  (from  Bonuott) ;  Cat.  Carn.  Br. 

MiiH.  IbO!),  p.  — . 
Taxidea  amerlrana  ran  bcrlandlerl,  (Iray,  V.  Z.  S.  1865, 141  (from  Bainl);  Cat.  Cam.  Ilr. 

MiiR.  le'«9,  p.  — . 
Taxidea  amerlrana  «ut/»p.  bcrlandlcrl,  AUm,  Bull.  U.  S.  Geul.  and  Geog.  Surv.  Tdrr.  vol. 

11.  no.  4, 18:6,  y;u. 
Mf  les  tiacoyoltf,  BtrX.  HSS.  ined. 
TIalcoyotI,  Aakuatl. 
Tlaeoyntl,  "  Fernandez." 
TIacoyotf,  Hex.  Vitlg. 
Texon  or  Tejou,  Mex.  (of.  Taxus,  Taano,  Taisann), 

Hau. — Southwestern  border  of  the  United  States  and  southward.  Llano 
Ebtacado,  Texas,  Pope;  Canton.  Biirj^wyn,  N.  M.,  Irwin;  Capo  St.  Lucas, 
Xantu«.  "Interior  and  Eastern  States  of  Mexico,  especially  Nuevo  Leone 
and  Taraaulipas. — (JierUiiidier,  MSS.) 

SuHSPECii'ic  CHAHACTKua.— Similar  to  T.  americana,  but  with  a  white 
dorsal  stripe,  soiuetiuies  interrupted,  from  nose  to  tail. 

Oeneral  remarks. 

The  extreme  manifestation  of  this  form  of  Taxiden  which  I 
have  seen  is  exemplitted  in  a  specimen  in  the  Smith.sonian 
Museum,  collected  at  Cape  St.  Lucas  by  Mr.  John  Xantus. 
Here  the  white  frontal  stripe  is  remarkably  broad,  nearly 
eqnall»''nr  iu  width  the  dark  part  of  the  head,  and  it  continues 
uniuterrtipted  thence  to  the  tail  as  a  sharp  white  vertebral 
line.  This  is  a  conspicuous  character,  and,  were  it  constant, 
there  would  need  be  no  hesitation  in  recognizing  a  second 
species,  even  in  default  of  correlated  difference  from  T.  ameri- 
cana. But  it  is  not  constant;  on  the  contrary,  other  speci- 
mens show  various  degrees  of  interruption  of  the  white  dorsal 
line.  Thus,  the  one  frojn  Texas  noticed  hy  Prof.  Baird  in  the 
works  above  cited  shows  a  prolongation  of  the  white  frontal 


illl 


290 


NORTH    AMKRIHAN    MTSTEMD.E. 


i 


I   1 


lino  past  the  nape  to  a  point  opposite  the  sliotildera,  its  intoi- 
ruption  tliere  for  about  tliroe  inches,  and  its  reappearance  for 
about  four  inches  at  tiie  middle  of  the  back.  I  fail  to  appre- 
ciate any  other  decided  peculiarities  of  this  form,  thougii  it 
may  average  rather  smaller,  and  somewhat  more  heavily  col- 
ored, owinjf  to  its  southern  habitat.  Certain  cranial  charac- 
ters noted  by  Prof.  liaird,  according  to  the  material  then  in 
hand,  are  negatived  in  the  later  examination  I  have  made  of 
huuth  larger  series  of  specimens. 

This  is  clearly  the  animal  referred  to  by  Bennett,  as  above, 
as  a  Calir»)rnian  variety,  with  darker  grotind-color,  and  a  white 
lino  showing  in  several  places  along  the  back,  or  continuous  to 
the  tail.  In  the  United  States  it  has  only  been  noticed,  to  my 
knowledge,  in  the  localities  alreatly  indicate<l;  but  there  is  no 
doubt  that  this  form,  more  or  less  decidedly  pronounced,  ranges 
over  the  intermediate  groun«l.  I  find  it  noticed  at  considerable 
length,  with  an  unmistakable  description,  under  the  name  of 
^feles  Uacoyotr,  in  Dr.  Berlandier's  nianuscripts,  wh  re  it  is  con- 
sidered to  be  the  TIacoyotI  of  IJernindez.  The  fore  cfaws  are 
di'scribed  as  "blackish";  otherwise  the  account  agrees  exactly 
with  the  specimens  before  me  named  herlandieri  by  Baird.  Dr. 
lierlandier  was  evidently  familiar  with  the  animal,  which  he 
represents  as  common  in  Northeastern  Mexico,  and  gives  sev- 
eral biographical  notices — nothing,  however,  to  indicate  any 
di  Terences  of  moment  in  its  habits  as  compared  with  those  of 
7.  americana.  The  following  are  his  measurements  of  a  female 
in  the  flesh  : — Nose  to  end  of  tail  24  inches ;  head  o  ;  tail  o.]  ; 
whole  fore  leg  (5;  hind  leg  r>^;  stature  at  shoulders  7. 


.     ADDENDUM  TO  CHAPTER  IX. 

Description  of  the  perinwal  glands  of  the  European  Badger,  Meles  vulgaris. 

Tlio  American  nad^or  Iioh  not,  so  far  an  I  ntn  aware,  boon  <«xatninu<l  ana- 
tomically with  roforonco  to  tlio  peculiar  organs  of  thu  puriiuniini  and  nei^li- 
boriiij^r  partH.  Those,  however,  have  Uann  Htndied  in  the  European  Hpeoies 
by  M.  Chatin,  whose  results  may  be  here  reproduced  in  substance,  in  default 
of  information  respectin^rour  own  species,  as  it  is  improbable  tbat  any  mate- 
rial diflerence  in  these  respects  subsists  between  the  two.  It  does  not  appear 
that  the  Melvs  rulyaris  itself  had  been  snillciently  studied  prior  to  M.  Cha- 
tin's  investiKivtions.  The  13ad)<;er  is  found  to. b«  peculiar*  in  the  presence 
not  only  of  anal  ^I'^odsof  an  ordinary  character,  but  also  of  another,  per- 

*  But  is  the  anatomy  of  Mydaiia  and  Arvtomjx  knuwu  f 


PKRIN/EAL    GLANDS    OP   MELES    VULGARIS. 


291 


«<^,l 


foctly  (listiiK't  Kliin<1>  tim  socrctioii  of  whicli  is  «niiitie(l  into  a  poekot  buck  of 
th«t  aniiH,  jiiHt  IxMiiNiitli  tlio  mot  of  tlio  tail. 

1.  Anal  fjlaii<l8.—T\\o  parts  proNeiit,  iioar  tli«  twrmiiiation  of  tin*  reotnm.  iiH 
apputi<]a){(W  at  itn  Hides,  two  oviil  Hli^htly  routirvoil  inaHS(\s,  'J()">in  loii^  and 
about  half  uh  broa<l  in  tli«  niiddlo.  Upon  tlio  Hli);htet4t  pii^NHtiiv,  a  liijiiid 
^uhLoh  from  tlio  two  uxcrutory  |>oros,  which  open  at  tlio  HidoH  of  tlu*  iiiiurt  at 
tho  bottom  of  wcll-niark«id  roccssoH.  TIiIh  Hiilistaiico  in  vory  viMcid,  of  arosy- 
yollow  color,  and  cxtroincly  fetid  ;  it  in  almost  entirvly  Noliiblo  in  nulidinric 
ether,  and  contains  nnmoroitH  fatty  particloH  and  opitholial  reinains.  The 
two  glands  aro  einbeddod  In  adipimo  tissue,  and  entirely  covereil  with  a 
miiHciilar  tunic  arisinj;  from  th<^  anal  mnscdes,  especially  the  retractor.  The 
secretory  ]iortion  is  of  the  same  general  charact«H'  as  in  allied  species  ;  the 
tissue  envelo[>ing  the  ciils-ile-sac  is  princiiially  o.  laminated  filircs,  strength- 
ened, however,  by  elastic  ones;  tim  diameter  of  the  ciils-de-sac  is  from  (•.(••!  to 
O.On""".  On  longitudinal  si^ction  of  the  gland,  the  centre  is  seen  to  be  occu- 
pied by  a  large  reservoir  lined  with  a  delicate  brownish  membrane,  much 
as  in  other  Carnivores.  The  product  of  si^cretion  is  turned  by  a  small  op(Mi- 
iiig  into  a  rattier  narrow  duct,  leading  to  the  external  uriliuo  already  indi- 
cated. 

2.  (llandH  of  the  mihraiidal  pouch. — In  tlio  Badger,  as  in  the  Porcin  atid 
doir.esticatcd  ('arnivonvs,  the  rectum  is  attached  to  the  sacrum  and  tiist  coc- 
cygeal bon<!S  by  a  strong  mnsnular  band,  which,  in  the  present  species,  leaves 
the  rectum  at  a  point  'i.'>'"'"  from  the  insertion  of  the  anal  glands,  at  an 
angle  of  about  (iU'-'  from  the  axis  of  the  intestine,  and  proct^'ds  to  its  inst^r- 
tion  uiioii  the  sacro-coc(!ygcal  bones.  At  a  ptiint  in  front  of  (he  insertion  of 
this  miiHcl<<  is  Ibund  a.  dei^fily  bilobate  mass,  apparently  formed  of  two  sepa- 
rate glands,  each  of  oval  shape,  and  appoHtnl  along  a  (hit  internal  face,  the 
exterior  surface  being  convex  and  lobate  ;  but  (he  organ  is  really  single,  as 
it  has  but  one  receptacle  for  the  product  of  all  the  follicular  portion  of  the 
a|iparatus.  This  is  a  new  glandular  organ  peculiar  to  the  coccygeal  re<rion. 
Each  moiety  niiiasurosiil"""  in  depth  with  an  averag"  iireadth  of  U""";  (or 
the  rest,  they  are  embedded  in  abundant  adipose  tissue,  and  (he  siirfiu^e  is 
whitish  and  papillate.  The  secretory  portion  is  about  "i"""  (hick  ;  it  is  com- 
posed of  follicles,  each  comprising  a  large  number  of  ciils-de-sac,  of  an  aver- 
age diameter  of  U.U(i*""',  lined  with  polyhedral  epithelial  cells.  The  product 
of  H»(cretion  is  receiveil  in  an  extremely  large  central  sac,  the  surface  of  which 
is  furnished  throughout  with  numerous  short, stiff,  brownish  hairs.  Tliissac 
is  distended  with  a  yellowish  fetid  substance  mixed  with  numerous  hairs, 
like  tlll^  viverreuin  of  the  Civet.  This  central  reservoir  may  be  regarded  as 
the  beginning  of  the  pocket  which  opens  beneath  the  tail ;  it  uomiiuinicales 
freely,  and,  in  fact,  is  part  of  one  and  the  same  cavity. 

In  the  female,  it  is  observed  that  the  end  of  the  genital  organs  and  the  rec- 
tum form,  by  tlitdr  union,  a  kind  of  cUiacal  vestibule,  in  fnnit  of  which  is 
the  clitoris,  with  the  urethra  immediately  below.  lieneath  this  sexual  por- 
tion of  the  vestibule  is  the  oridco  by  which  the  rectum  opens  ex(eriially, 
after  receiving  at  its  sides  the  excretory  ducts  of  the  anal  glands.  Finally, 
back  of  these  parts,  is  a  broad  transverse  depression, — the  Huh(-au*lal  pouch  ; 
it  measures  2',\"""  across.  The  anal  glands  are  1H""'<  long  and  about  '.'""" 
broad ;  they  are  club-shaped,  and  (|uite  similar  to  those  of  the  male.  To  the 
Hiibcaudal  pouch  there  is  also  attacluHl  a  secretory  apparatus  like  that 
already  described,  but  smaller;  its  lutenial  structure  is  the  same. 


292 


NORTH   AMERICAN  MUSTELID.E. 


I    I 


Briefly,  then,  the  Badger  possesses  perinseal  glands,  remarkally  pecnliar 
not  only  in  their  formation,  but  in  their  general  relations,  since  the  true  anal 
glands  are  supplemented  with  another  special  glandular  mass.  This  lattiM- 
ib  not  situated  between  the  genitalia  and  tlaeanus,  as  in  Fiverra,  but  between 
the  tail  and  the  anus,  so  that  it  is  behind  the  latter  and  not  in  "front  of  it, 
like  the  scent-bags  of  tlie  Civets.  We  cannot,  however,  deny  their  analogy, 
as  seen  in  the  central  otiVity,  clothed  with  hairs,  and  the  bilobation  of  the 
gland ;  but  they  differ  in  situation,  in  the  nature  of  the  product,  and  to  a 
certain  extent  in  histological  structure,  thus  warranting,  from  the  present 
standpoint,  recognition  of  two  quite  distinct  types. 


I 


>:-::  f.  (  --  \---.\      ^J: 


.\,i:.i^:  '.■!,■■■■     ;/.>:. Jv  j'>;  ■  .'    t] ::       ,   u 


Wi 


CHAPTER    X. 


m 


■    Subfamily  LUTEINS:  The  Otters. 

General  considerations — The  genns  Lutra — Generic  characters  and  remarks— 
The  North  American  Otter,  Lutra  canadensis — Synonymy — Habitat — 
Specific  characters— Description  of  external  characters — Description  of 
the  Hkiill  and  teeth — Variation  in  the  skull — History  of  the  species— Geo- 
graphical distribution — Habitsof  Otters— Extinct  species  of  North  Amer- 
ican Otter. 


m 

ill 


IN  the  Otters,  we  encounter  a  fourth  decided  raodificatiou  of 
the  family  characters  iu  adaptation  to  a  highly  aquatic 
mode  of  life.  Among  the  true  Mustelinw,  iudee<l,  we  found 
some  aquatic  species,  like  the  Mink,  Piitorius  vlson;  but  in  none 
of  the  foregoing  subfamilies  is  the  structure  modified  to  any 
great  extent  with  reference  to  natatorial  abilities.  The  short, 
broad,  fully  webbed  feet  of  the  Otters,  the  cylindrical  body,  the 
stout  tapering  tail,  aad  very  turgid  blunt  muzzle  result  in  an 
unmistakable  physiognomy,  as  characteristic  of  the  Lutrince  as 
are  the  more  important  structural  modifications  of  the  skull 
aiul  teeth. 

The  Lutrince  have  been  defined  as  Mustelidcc  with  the  number 
of  teeth  equal  in  both  jnws.     Tliis  expression,  however,  is 
equally  applicable  to  the  Etihydr'mce,  or  Sea  Otter,  iu  which, 
very  curiously,  lack  of  one  pair  of  under  incisors  brings  about 
the  same  adjustment  of  total  teeth  of  the  two  jaws,  though  the 
grinders  are  unequal  in  number. 

The  Lutrince  as  here  limited  to  the  exclusion  of  Eiihyclris  may 
be  recognized  as  the  only  Mustelidce  in  which  the  number  of 
grinding  teeth  (molars  and  premolars  together)  is  the  same  in 
both  jaws,  the  formula  being  J'^-yl^;  ^^•^'^TS'  '^''^  ^^^^^ 
of  the  teeth  is  \l  =  36.  The  upper  molar  is  large  and  quadrate 
iu  shape.  '■■-'"    -  .-•s^::-vr- -:-■■<■;.;;.  .v  -.-^^;:■,;v,. 

After  throwing  out  the  very  different  geuns  Enhydris  as  type 
of  a  separate  subfamily,  the  Lutrincv  still  include  a  number  of 
well-marked  genera.     Of  these,  Lutra  is  the  principal  genus, 

293 


f  I 


294 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


E  i 


with  the  greater  number  of  species  and  most  general  distribn- 
tiou,  occurring  in  both  hemispheres.  !Nearl}  Hied  genera,  by 
some  considered  only  as  subgenera,  aio  '  d  chiefly  ujmn 
modifications  of  the  claws,  which,  in  somt  the  Old  World 
Otters,  are  small,  rudimentary,  or  even  wanting,  as  in  Lep- 
ionyx  and  Aonyx.  The  most  remarkable  genus  is  the  South 
American  Pterura  or  Pteronura,  peculiar  in  the  lateral  dilata- 
tion of  the  tail. 

Lutra  itself  is  the  only  North  American  genus  of  the  sub- 
family, our  species  having  been  unnecessarily,  if  not  unwarrant- 
ably, distiuguis  *>y  generic  name  from  the  European  type  of 
Lutra. 

The  Genus  LUTRA.    (Linn.) 


Grxeuic   chakacters. — Dental  formula:    i. 


3-3  , 


j,m.    *J^ 


3  —  3  '       ^'     1  —  1  '      J'""     3_3 

m.  ^^;=:Jy='3G.  Teeth  of  ordinary  carnivorous  pattern.  Molar  of  upper 
jaw  large,  quadrate.  Back  upper  premolar  with  a  large  internal  shelf,  mak- 
ing the  contour  of  the  whole  crown  triangular.  Skull  much  depressed  and 
flattened  on  top,  the  dorsal  outline  more  or  less  nearly  straight  and  hori- 
zontal ;  rostrum  extremely  short,  bringing  the  foro  ends  of  the  nasals  nearly 
opposite  the  anterior  root  of  the  zygoma,  the  sides  of  the  rostrum  erect,  the 
top  flat.  Cerebral  portion  of  the  skull  swollen  backward,  with  strongly  con- 
vex lateral  outline.  Postorbital  processes  variable  (well  developed  in  some 
species,  as  in  the  North  American,  wanting  iu  others).  Anteorbital  foramen 
very  large,  bounded  above  by  a  slender  bridge  of  bone.  Posterior  nares 
throwu  into  oue  conduit."  Palate  extending  far  back  of  molars.  Ptery- 
goids strongly  hamulate.  Body  stout,  but  lengthened  and  cylindrical ; 
muzzle  very  obtuse;  ears  very  small.  Feet  short,  broad,  naked,  or  partly 
hairy  ou  the  palm  and  sole,  the  digits  full-webbed.  Tail  long,  tapering,  cylin- 
dricodepressed,  but  without  special  lateral  dilatatiou.  Claws,  though  small, 
well  formed.    Pelage  without  striking  cc.    r-contrasta. 

Many  of  the  foregoing  expressions  are  applicable  to  the  sub- 
family at  large,  as  well  as  to  the  present  genus.  Particular 
points  of  Lutra  proper  are  the  presence  of  perfect  claws,  iu 
comparison  with  their  absence  or  rudimentary  condition  in 
some  other  genera,  and  the  lack  of  special  dilatation  of  the  tail. 

The  uniformity  of  coloration  and  the  great  individual  varia- 
bility iu  size  throughout  this  genus  render  the  determination 
of  the  species  difficult.  The  points  which  I  have  found  most 
available  in  specific  diagnosis,  when  cranial  and  dental  charac- 
ters fail,  are,  the  size  and  shape  of  the  nose-pad  and  the  con- 

*  In  some  species,  there  is  an  incomplete  septum  extending  further  back 
than  iu  Mimtdinw,  but  never,  so  far  as  I  know,  to  the  very  end  of  the  bony 
palate,  us  in  Mephitinw  and  Melinm. 


SYNONYMY  OP  LUTEA  CANADENSIS. 


295 


(lition  of  fiirriiiess  or  nakedness  of  the  soles,  together  with  the 
special  tuberculation  of  the  latter.  The  various  American 
species  may  readily  be  determined  by  attending  to  these  par- 
ticulars. 

There  is  but  a  single  well-determined  North  American  species 
of  this  genus.  This  is  so  distinct  from  the  European,  with 
which  it  was  long  confounded,  that  1  am  tempted  to  place  it  in 
a  different  subgenus,  grounded  on  various  cranial  peculiarities 
that  mijL;ht  be  enp-:;-c:'ited,  and  only  refrain  from  so  doing 
in  my  ignorabce  of  what  intermediate  forms  of  crania  other 
species  may  present  to  connect  the  extremes  seen  in  L.  vulgaris 
and  L.  canadensis.  Other  American  species  agree  closely  with 
L.  canadensis  in  cranial  characters ;  and  it  is  not  improbable 
that  the  species  of  this  hemisphere  may  all  be  subgenerically 
different  from  those  of  the  Old  World.  I  shall,  however,  con- 
sider them  as  simply  iu^ra. 

Besides  L.  canadensis,  moreover,  there  is  a  perfectly  distinct 
Mexican  species,  Lutra  californica  of  Gray  (not  of  Baird),  which 
is  said,  and  I  believe  correctly,  to  extend  into  the  United 
States  along  the  Pacific  side.  I  think  it  will  be  found,  as 
already  supposed  by  some,  to  be  very  extensively  dispersed 
along  the  western  shores  of  North,  Middle  and  South  America. 
It  appears  to  be  as  distinct  from  the  L.  brasiliensis  as  it  is  from 
L,  canadensis,  and  I  have  no  doubt  will  ultimately  be  estab- 
lished as  a  second  good  species  of  Otter  of  the  United  States, 
though  under  a  name  long  prior  to  that  imposed  by  Gray.  But 
as  I  have  seen  only  Mexican  skins  of  this  animal,  I  cannot  now 
introduce  it  to  our  fauna.    The  point  is  discussed  beyond. 


1  ;i\ 


The  Mortli  American  Otter. 

liUtra  cnnadensis. 

Plate  XVII. 

MuNtela  ranadenHls,  Turton,  S.  N.  1.  1806,  57  (not  ifiutela  eanadensif  id.  ibid.  SP,  which 
is  M.  pennanti,  the  I'ekan.    Not  of  Schrobor  uor  of  Brxlebon  n'  •■  of  authors). 

lutra  ranadenfilN,  "F.  Cuo.  Diet.  So.  Nat.  xxvii,  18-23,  242.-  fn.  llfj.  Diet.  Class,  ix.  !>20."— 
J.  Sab.  App  Frankl.  Jourii.  1823,  (i:>X—Les».  Man.  1827, 154,  no.  4H.—0rif.  An.  Kingd. 
V.  1827, 1.30,  no.  3&i.— Finch.  Syn.  1829, 225.— TJicft.  F.  B..  A.  i.  1829, 57,  no.  20.~Einm(m», 
"K«'p.  Quad.  Mass.  183^25";  Uup.  Quad.  Mass.  1840,  46.— ijicfc.  ZoiJl.  Voy.  Uueehoy, 
1839,  i.— Maxim,  lleiso  N.  Am.  i.  1839,  211 ;  Arch.  Nalnrg.  1861, 236;  Verz.  N.  A.  Sauf;. 
1862,  60,  pi.  8,  f.  6  (08  penis).- /)«  Kay,  N.  T.  Zool.  i.  1849,  39,  pi.  3,  f.  1,  pi.  33.  f. 
1,  3,  3  (»knl\}.—Liniiley,  Am.  Jonrn.  Soi.  xliii.  1842,  —.—Schiiu,  Syn.  i.  1844,  34!), 
no.  5.— And.  <e  Jiach.  Q.  N.  A.  il.  1851,  3,  pi,  51.— TToodA.  SitKreaves's  Rep.  18.'i3, 
Ai.—Kenn.  Tr.  Illinois  ARric.  Soc.  for  1853-4,  1855,  578.-(?ie6«J,  Siiiig.  Itf.-i^  789.— 
lieenlty,  Geol.  Capu  May,  1«57,  Vil.—  lid.  ?J.  N.  A.  1857.  184,  pi.  38,  f.  a,  b,  c,  d,  e.— 
killings,  Cauad.  Nut.  and  Ueol.  i.  1857,  iiii.—SainueU,  Ninth  Ann.  Uep.  Mass.  Aj<rio. 


I 

if 


296 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


11 


■i) 


^11 
I 


for  IPfil,  1?62,  UO.—ITnyd.  Tr.  Amer.  Pliil.  Soc.  xii.  18fi2,  U[i.-Hall,  Catmd.  Nat. 

and  Geol.  vi.  1801,  Sif?.— iJo«»,  Caiiad.  Nat.  and  Geol.  vi.  ISfil,  SH.—Barnston,  Canad. 

Nat.  and  Geol.  viii.  1863, ,  f.  —.—Oerr.  Cat.  Bones  Br.  Mus.  18fi2.  \0l.— Allen,  Vr. 

Bost.  Soc.  xiii.  1869,  183.— BuJJ.  M.  C.  Z.  i.  1H6'J,  178;  ii.  1871,  109  (Florida).— (JiJpin, 

Proc.  and  Tr.  N.  Scotia  Inst  ii.  1870,  m.—All.  Hull.  E»8.  Inst.  tI.  1874,  46,  63  (Kuiisan 

and  Utali).— Ar/ics,  Bull.  Minn.  Acad.  Nat.  Sci.  1874,  m.—Oouet  <£•  Tarrow,  Zoiil.  Espl. 

W.  100  Morid.  v.  1875,  63.— Allen,  Bull.  U.  S.  Geol.  and  Geog.  Surv.  Terr.  vol.  ii.  no.  4, 

1876, 331  (skull). 
llltra  canadciiNiH  var.,  Aud.d  Bach.  Q.  N.  A.  ill.  1853,  97,  pi.  122  (figure  of  Gray's  typo  of 

Lalaxina  inollin). 
Lntax  canadenHl8,  Orai/,  P.  Z.  S.  186.5, 133,-  Cat.  Cam.  Br.  Mus.  1869,  — . 
Lutra  vuleariH  var.  canadenHis,  Wagn.  Suppl.  Schreber,  ii.  1841, 256. 
MuMtela  hiidsoniru,  "LacepMe". 
lutra  hiidsonica,  F.  Cw.  Snppl.  Biiflfon,  1. 1831, 194. 
flutra  graclliis,  Oken,  Lebrb.  Naturg.  Th.  iii.  Abth.  ii.  1810,  986<"Staatenland,Iu8el  an 

Anierika  boi  New- York"). 
Intra  braNlltcnRis,  Desm.  Manim.  i.  1820, 188  (in  part).— ITar;.  Fn.  A.ner.  1825, 71  (in  part).— 

Godm.  Am.  N.  H.  i.  1831,  222,  pi.  — ,  f.  2  (in  part).— T/iowip-.  N.  H.  Vermont,  1853, 33. 
intra  lutUXtna,  F.  Cm.  "Diet.  Sc.  Nat.  xxvii.  1823,  242";  Suppl.  Button,!.  1831,  203.— "7«. 

Omf.  Diet.  Class.  ix.R-iO."— Griff.  An.  Killed,  v.  1827, 131,  no.  364.— Le»«.  Man.  1827, 154, 

no.  416 —Fisc;*.  Syn.  1829, 226,  no.  4.— i>e  Eay,  N.  Y.  Zofil.  1.  1842,  il.—Schinz,  Syn.  i. 

1844, 350. 
latax  lalaxina,  Gray,  Ann.  Mag.  N.  n.  i.  1837, 119. 

Lataxina  mollis,  Gray,  List  Mamm.  Br.  Mus,  1843,  70  (type  figured  by  Aud.  &  Bach.  I.  e.). 
Lutra  amcricana,  Wi/man,  Pr.  Bost.  Soc.  ii.  1847, 249  (on  articulation  of  mandible). 
Lutra  californica,  lid.  M.  N.  A.  1857,  Idl.—Xewb.  P.  R.  R.  Rep.  vi.  1857,  42.— Coop.  <£  Suck.  N. 

H.  W.  T.  1860, 115.  (Probably  not  of  Gray.) 
intra  destructor,  Barnst.  Canad.  Nat.  and  Geol.  viii.  1863, 147,  f.  —  (Lake  Superior). 
iOUtre  du  Canada,  Buff.  "Hist.  Nat.  xiii.  -^,  .328,  326,  pi.  44  (4to  ed.);  ed.  Pillot.  xv.  p. 

SQ".—Fr.Ouv.l.c. 
iontre  de  la  Caroline,  F.  Cuv.  l.e. 

ioutre  d'Am^rlqne,  Cuv.  (in  part;  unites  the  Braz.ilian  species). 
Common  Otter,  Pennant,  Arct.  Zoill.  i.  1784,  86,  no.  34  (in  part;  unites  the  European). 
land  Otter,  Warden,  United  States,  i.  1819, 206. 
American  Otte?*,  Godman,  I.  c,  Baird,  I.  c,  and  of  authors. 
Canada  Otter,  Sabine.  Rich.  I.  c,  Aud.  &  Bach.  I.  c,  and  of  autliors. 
(Otter,  see  Martens,  Zool.  Gart.  xi.  1870,  279 ;  philological.) 
Neekeek,  Oree  Indiana.  ■ 

Hab. — North  America  at  large,  being  rather  sparingly  distributed  over 
most  of  the  waters  of  the  continent.  Said  to  occur  iu  Central  America 
(Costa  Rica,  v.  Frantzius). 

Specific  ciiaractkhs.* — Orbits  well  defined  by  prominent  conical  post- 
orbital  processes,  the  distance  between  the  tips  of  which  is  one-half  or  more 
of  the  intermastoid  width  of  the  skull.  Inner  depressed  moiety  of  posterior 
upper  premolar  as  large  and  nearly  as  long  as  the  main  outer  moiety ;  gen- 
eral dentition  strong.  Naked  nasal  pad  large  (upward  of  an  inch  long  or 
broad  iu  full-grown  individuals),  extending  back  above  the  nostrils  in  a 
/^-shaped  outline,  reaching  below  the  nostrils  with  a  straight  transverse 
border,  which  sometimes  sends  a  slight  spur  part  way  down  the  median  line 
of  the  lip.  Palms  hairy  between  the  digits,  isolating  the  individual  bald 
digital  bulbs,  and  having  an  isolated  patch  or  carpal  peninsula  of  hair 
posteriorly.  Soles  hairy  between  the  digits,  isolating  the  individual  digital 
bulbs,  much  encroached  upon  by  hair  from  behind,  aud  having  three  or  four 
peculiar  small  circular  elevated  callosities  arranged  around  the  posterior 

*  Drawn  up  with  special  reference  to  antithesis  with  L,  vtilgarit  of  Europe. 


■n 


EXTERNAL  CHARACTERS  OF  LUTRA  CANDADENSIS.  297 

border  of  the  main  bald  plautar  surface.  (Form,  stature,  and  coloration  not 
diagnostic.)  Finally  attaining  a  total  length  of  four  feet  or  more;  liver- 
brown,  with  purplish  gl^ss,  i.a)er  on  the  under  surface  of  the  head,  throat, 
and  breast. 

Description  of  external  characters.* 

This  Otter  shares  the  well-known  form  common  to  most 
species  of  the  genus — the  massive  columnar  body,  without  con- 
striction of  neck,  small  globose  head,  small  eyes  and  ears,  long 
taper  tail,  short  stout  limbs,  and  broad  webbed  feet,  with  close- 
set  glossy  fur  and  abundant  woolly  under-fur.  Externally,  the 
special  form  of  the  nose-pgd  and  the  state  of  furring  of  the 
palms  and  soles  are  the  chief,  if  i.^ot  the  sole,  characters  dis- 
tinguishing the  species  from  several  of  its  congeners. 

The  nose-pad  is  remarkably  well  developed — almost  as  much 
so  as  in  Mnhydris — perfectly  bald,  and  in  adult  life  tessellated 
by  subdivision  into  very  numerous  small  flat-topped  papilhe. 
In  general  shape,  it  is  an  equilateral  penta- 
gon, with  one  side  inferior,  horizontal,  and 
straight  Rcross,  the  next  side  on  either  hand 
irregular,  owing  to  the  shape  of  the  nasal 
apertures,  the  two  remaining  sides  coming 
togethc  r  obliquely  above  to  a  median  acute 
angle,  ligh  above  a  line  drawn  across  the 
tops  of  the  nostrils.  It  somewhat  resembles 
the  ace  of  spades.t  The  lov  dr  horizontal 
border  is  below  a  line  drawn  across  the  bottom  of  the  nos- 
trils; it  sometimes  sends  down  a  small  naked  spur  vertically 
towards  the  tip,  sometimes  not ;  either  of  the  borders  not  oc- 
cupied by  the  nostrils  may  be  a  little  convex  or  a  little  con- 
cave, or  sigmoidal.  (In  Lutra  vulgaris,  the  uosepad  is  very 
small,  and  entirely  contined  between  the  nostrils.  In  a  com- 
mon species  of  Mexico,  said  also  to  inhabit  California,  and  in 
fact  to  extend  from  Chili  to  Kamtschatka,  the  nose-pad  is  con- 
siderably more  developed  than  in  L.  vulgaris,  yet  much  less  so 
than  in  canadensis;  the  upper  outline  is  deeply  double-concave, 
like  w^,  and  the  lower  outline,  which  does  not  reach  below  the 
nostrils,  is  concave,  like  ^.    In  the  Saricov.ienne,  Lutra  hrasilien- 

*  From  various  specimens  in  the  National  Museum  from  different  portions 
of  North  America. 

tThe  figure,  coi>ied  from  Baird,  is  perhaps  rather  too  near  an  ace-of-clubs 
shape;  according  to  the  dried  specimens  from  which  I  drew  my  text,  the 
top  of  the  figure  should  be  more  pointed,  and  the  lines  thence  rather  less 
curved. 


Nose-pad  of  L.  eanadenais, 
Nat.  size. 


f 

1 


li  i:tr 


m 


II 


298 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


sis,  with  which  ours  used  to  be  confounded,  the  nose-pad  isde- 
scribed  as  divided  by  a  line  of  hair  coming  down  from  above.) 

The  upper  border  of  the  nostrils  is  in  L.  canadensis  repre- 
sented by  a  ])roniinent  overhanging  bulb.  The  whiskers  are 
short,  stout,  stift"  bristles,  arranged  in  numerous  series  ;  others 
equally  long  and  stiff  grow  from  the  sides  of  the  chin  near  the 
angle  of  the  mouth,  and  in  front  of  the  ears;  others  again 
spring  over  the  eyes,  and  at  the  point  of  the  chin.  The  eyes 
are  small,  far  forward,  nearer  to  the  muzzle  than  to  the  ear.  The 
ears  are  comparatively  minute,  with  a  thin,  obtusely  pointed 
conch,  about  as  long  as  the  surrounded  fur,  though  they  project 
somewhat,  since  the  hairs  lie  flat ;  the  entrance  of  the  meatus 
is  completely  occluded  with  fur. 

The  tail  is  about  half  as  long  (more  or  less)  aa  the  head  and 
body ;  regularly  tapering  from  base  to  tip,  elliptical  in  trans- 
verse section. 

The  short  fore  limb  is  succeeded  by  a  stout  wrist  and  broad 
flat  hand.  The  fingers  are  very  short,  and  when  divaricated 
their  tips  describe  nearly  a  semicircle  around  the  centre  of  the 
palm.  The  toes  are  almost  completely  webbed  by  membranes 
reaching  out  to  about  the  middle  of  the  conspicuous  digital 
bulbs — the  median  digit  is  a  little  freer  than  the  rest,  the  lateral 
ones  most  completely  united.  The  hand  is  entirely  hairy  above; 
below,  the  bulbs  of  the  digits  are  perfectly  bald,  but  the  con- 
necting membranes  are  more  or  less  completely  hairy,  separat- 
ing the  naked  bulbs  from  each  other  an4  from  the  main  palmar 
surface.  After  this  hairy  membranous  surface  comes  the  single 
large  palmar  pad,  naked  for  the  most  part,  but  having  poste- 
riorly a  scant  patch  of  hair,  either  isolated  or  connected  by  a 
hairy  isthmus  with  the  fur  upon  the  wrist.  In  life,  this  main 
pad  has  no  decided  subdivision,  though  it  sometimes  shows  cer- 
tain lines  of  impression  which  in  the  dried  state  may  be  exag- 
gerated into  partitions.  All  the  bald  parts  of  the  palm  and  the 
digital  bulbs  are  tessellated  with  minute  papillsB. 

The  soles,  in  general,  resemble  the  palms  in  the  webbing  of 
the  toes  by  a  hairy  membrane,  and  encroachment  from  behind 
of  hairs  upon  the  main  plantar  pad ;  but  the  shape  of  the  hind 
foot  is  quite  different.  The  4th  digit  is  much  elongated,  the 
3d  a  little  shorter,  the  2d  and  1st  rapidly  much  graduated,  with 
the  5th  intermediate  between  the  3d  and  2d.  The  terminal 
bulbs  of  the  toes  are  naked  and  papillate,  and  completely  iso- 
lated, by  the  hairiness  of  the  iuterveuing  membrciue,  bjth  from 


EXTERNAL  CHARACTERS  OF  LUTRA  CANADENSIS.  299 


m 


each  other  and  from  the  main  plantar  pad.  This  last  la  per- 
fectly naked  and  papillate  for  a  broadly  crescentic  space,  there 
being  a  central  furry  projection  from  behind.  But  the  most 
remarkable  feature,  peculiar  to  this  epeoles,  as  far  as  is  known, 
is  the  presence  of  three  or  four  small,  definite,  circular,  elevated 
papillte,  arranged  along  the  posterior  border  of  the  naked  space. 
I  do  not  understand  these  singular  structures,  the  appearance 
of  which  almost  forces  the  presumption  that  they  are  the  excre- 
tory pores  of  glandular  organs  beneath  the  integument. 

The  claws  are  similar  on  both  fore  and  hind  feet.  They  are 
short,  stout,  compressed,  much  arched,  rapidly  contracted  from 
the  thick  base  to  an  acute  point.  Those  iu  front  are  rather 
larger,  sharper,  and  more  arched  than  the  hinder  ones. 

The  fur  of  the  Otter  is  of  great  beauty,  very  thick,  close, 
short,  and  shining,  an  exaggeration,  in  correspondence  with  the 
completely  aquatic  habits  of  the  animal,  of  that  of  the  Mink  or 
Muskrat.  The  longer  hairs  are  stout  and  glistening ;  the  very 
copious  under  fur  is  lanuginous  and  lustreless.  The  sheen  is 
only  visible  in  its  perfection  when  the  pelt  is  viewed  with  the 
lay  of  the  hairs;  from  the  other  direction  the  color  is  plain.  As 
in  most  other  species,  the  color  is  a  rich  dark  liver-brown,  or 
deep  chestnut-brown  above,  more  or  less  blackish  or  with  a 
purplish  gloss ;  paler  below,  especially  anteriorly,  on  the  under 
l)art8  and  sides  of  the  head,  the  throat,  and  breast.  This  pale- 
ness is  very  variable,  from  a  slight  lightening  of  the  general 
tone  to  a  pale  dull  brownish  or  grayish,  or  even  muddy  white. 
The  change  is  insensible,  and  there  are  no  special  markings 
anywhere.  The  roots  of  the  hairs,  even  on  the  darkest  parts 
of  the  pelage,  are  quite  light  brown,  or  often  even  dingy  white, 
but  the  fur  is  so  close  that  this  does  not  appreciably  affect  the 
tone  of  the  surface.  The  top  of  the  tail  is  ordinarily  the  darkest 
part  of  the  animal.  The  whiskers  are  partly  colorless,  partly 
brown.    The  nasal  pad,  palms,  and  soles  are  dark-colored. 

Beneath  the  root  of  the  tail  are  two  glandular  eminences. 

Few  animals  vary  more  in  stature  than  the  Otter.  Some 
individuals  are,  in  round  terms,  twice  as  large  and  heavy  as 
others  apparently  equally  mature,  and,  at  any  rate,  capable  of 
reproduction.  An  average  total  length  of  full-grown  individu- 
als is  4  to  4i  feet ;  some  specimens,  however,  touching  5  feet, 
while  others  fall  short  of  the  first-named  dimension.  The  spe- 
cies appears  to  grow  several  years  after  puberty.  Nose  to 
loot  of  tail  3  feet;  tail  1^  feet;  nose  to  eye  I5  to  2  inches;  nose 


ir 


-'f 

-4 

M 


mf 


300 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


to  ear  3^  to  4  inches;  etu*  leas  than  an  inch  hij^h,  and  about  as 
broad;  fore  foot  trom  wrist  3J  inches;  hind  foot  4  inches;  girth 
of  body  about  1 J  feet;  stature  a  foot  or  less;  weight  ordinarily 
20  to  25  pounds.  I  have  recognized  no  particular  sexual  dif- 
fereiices,  though  the  female  may,  as  usual  in  this  family,  aver- 
age smaller  than  the  male. 

Comparison  with  allied  species.    (See  plates  XVII,  XVIII.) 

The  difterences  between  the  present  species  and  L.  vulgaris 
of  liJurope  are  decided  and  unmistakable,  in  fact  much  stronger 
than  those  usually  subsisting  in  this  intricate  group,  where 
recognition  of  species  is  rendered  difficult  by  similarity  in  form 
and  color.  Some  of  the  characters  of  L.  vulgaris  have  been 
already  noted.  It  is  a  much  smaller  animal ;  the  nasal  pad  is 
reduced  to  a  small  bald  spot  strictly  confined  betwixt  the  nos- 
trils ;  and  there  is  uo  hair  on  the  soles  or  palms.  The  cranial 
characters  are  still  stronger.  A  great  many  details  of  differ- 
ence that  might  be  adduced  may  be  summed  in  the  stat<'ment 
that  the  skull  of  L.  vulgaris  is  less  massive,  narrower  for  its 
leagth,  and  with  weaker  dentition.  The  prominent  peculiari- 
ties are  these :  There  are  no  decided  postorbital  processes 
defining  the  orbit  above.  The  postorbital  constriction  is 
great,  the  skull  being  at  this  point  less  than  one-fourth  as 
broad  as  it  is  across  the  mastoids,  instead  of  nearly  one-third 
such  measurement,  as  in  L.  canadensis.  The  zygomatic  width 
is  contained  one  and  four-fifth  times  in  the  total  length,  instead 
of  only  about  one  and  two-fifths,  as  in  L.  canadensis.  The  ros- 
trum is  decidedly  more  produced  and  narrower,  and  the  nasal 
bones  are  of  a  correspondingly  different  shape.  The  inner 
spur  of  the  posterior  upper  premolar  in  L.  vulgaris  is  a  semi- 
circle, only  about  half  as  long  as  the  tooth ;  in  L.  canaden- 
sis, the  same  part  of  this  tooth  is  developed  along  the  whole 
inner  border  of  the  main  moiety.  There  are  other  minor  den- 
tal peculiarities.    (Compare  Plates  XVII  and  XVIII.) 

A  skull  of  the  Mexican  Otter  above  mentioned  as  entirely 
distinct  from  L.  canadensis,  and  which  is  probably  the  species 
named  L.  cali/ornica  by  Gray  (but  certainly  not  the  one  so 
called  by  Baird),  is  of  the  same  general  character  £vs  that  of 
L,  canadensis,  in  fact  presents  no  very  strong  points  of  differ- 
ence. The  inner  part  of  the  back  upper  premolar,  however,  is 
rather  triangular  than  quadrate,  lacking  the  bulge  of  the  pos- 
terior part,  conspicuous  in  L.  canadensis,  which  causes  the  part 


COMPARISONS   OP   OTTERS. 


301 


to  be  closely  apposed  to  the  succeeding  molar,  wberetis  in  this 
^Mexican  example  there  is  a  decided  angular  interval  at  the 
.same  place.  The  point  is  difficult  of  expression  on  paper,  but 
is  readily  perceived  when  the  specimens  are  laid  together. 
The  whole  skull  is  rather  broad  and  massive. 

The  same  characters  of  skull  and  teeth  are  witnessed  in  a 
large  series  of  Otters'  skulls  before  me  from  the  coast  of  Alaska 
and  some  of  the  adjacent  islands.  The  skulls,  unfortunately, 
are  unaccompanied  by  skins;  but  they  lead  me  to  suspect  that 
thej'  may  be  those  of  an  animal  the  same  as  the  Mexican 
species.  This  would  accord  with  the  ascribed  range  of  the 
species  (from  Chili  to  Eamtschatka);  but  the  point  cannot  be 
determined  until  skins  are  examined  from  this  region,  as  the 
skulls  alone  do  not  furnish  grounds  for  separation.  The  Mex- 
ican animal  is  entirely  distinct,  as  already  noted,  in  the  smaller 
and  differently  shaped  nose-pad,  perfectly  naked  palms  and 
soles,  and  absence  of  the  peculiar  callosities  seen  on  the  latter 
in  L.  canadensis.  If  the  ascribed  range  of  this  Otter  prove  to 
hold,  we  have,  in  North  America,  a  second  perfectly  good 
species,  the  characters  and  supposed  synonymy  of  which  are 
presented  in  the  accompanying  foot-note.* 

*"lulrii  feUna.  Molina,  Hist  Nat.  Chili." 

"Lutra  Chllensis,  Bennett,  Proc.  Zoiil.  S.  ii,  1832,  p.  l."—Tschudi,  Fn.  Peru.  1844-46,  113. 

"Lfitra  plateiisis,  WaUrh.  Zoiil.  Voy.  Beagle,  i.  2i.—D'0rbig.  Voy.  Amur.  M6iid." 

Liitra  californira,  Gray,  Mag.  Nat.  Hist.  i.  1835,  580,  nee  Baird. 

Kutria  feUna,  Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 128. 

Description  (No.  9435,  Mus.  Smiths.  Inst.  $ ,  Jan.  15,  1869,  Santa  Efijj^enia, 
Tebuantepec,  F.  Snmichrast). — Of  abont  the  size  and  with  much  the  general 
appearance  of  L.  canadensis.  Tail  very  long,  at  least  i  the  bead  and  body. 
Feet  notably  small.  Nose-pad  contracted,  broader  than  deep,  not  deeper 
than  the  length  of  nostril,  the  lower  border  lightly  concave,  the  upper 
border  strongly  doubly  concave,  with  a  central  pointed  projection  upward, 
and  similar  acute  produced  lateral  upper  corners.  Soles  and  palms  naked, 
the  palmar  pad  divided  into^  posterior  circular  part  and  a  larger  anterior 
portion,  the  latter  subdivided  by  several  lines  of  impression.  Soles  without 
peculiar  circular  callosities,  with  several  well-marked  subdivisions  by  lines 
of  impression.  Color  above  a  lighter  and  more  chocolate-brown  than  in  L. 
canadensis;  below,  decidedly  paler  and  grayer  brown  than  usual  in  L.  cana- 
densis, becoming  dingy  whitish  anteriorly.  Estimated  length  2^  feet  to  root 
of  tail ;  tail  about  1|  feet ;  nose  to  ear  perhaps  3^  inches ;  fore  foot,  measured 
from  beginning  of  the  naked  part,  only  2^  inches ;  hind  foot  about  the  same. 
Additional  specimens  from  the  same  locality,  with  others  from  Orizaba  and 
Central  Guatemala,  appear  to  be  identical.  A  skin  from  Buenos  Ayres  is 
not  materially  diflerent,  though  the  upper  outline  of  the  nose-pad  is  less  de- 
cidedly double-concave  above ;  the  size  is  less,  the  coloration  lighter,  and  of 
a  peculiar  yellowish-brown  on  the  under  parts;  the  whole  pelage  is  remark- 
ably harsh  and  hispid. 


ifl 


302 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID.T:. 


Dt'Hcription  of  the  skull  and  teeth,    (See  Plato  XVII.) 

The  Irtti'ial  view  of  the  skull  shows  its  most  cluiracteristic 
shape  ill  its  f^eneral  depression, the  tlatnesaon  top, and  the  short- 
ness of  the  blunt  muzzle.  In  the  adult,  the  dors.il  profile,  from 
oceipiit  to  end  of  imsals,  approximates  to  a  straight  line;  in 
.younger  examples,  the  frontal  outline  is  also  about  straight,  but 
the  cranial  ixution  arches  a  little,  and  then  curves  (Town  to  the 
occiput.  The  profile  of  the  nasal  orifice  is  sinuous,  convex 
abtive,  concave  below.  The  rostrum  is  only  about  one-fifth  of 
the  total  length  of  the  skull.  The  anteorbital  foramen  is  widely 
open,  obliquely  elliptical  iu  shape,  and  only  bridged  over  by  a 
slender  process  of  the  root  of  the  zygoma ;  its  obliquity  of  posi- 
tion is  so  great  that,  viewed  from  above,  it  presents  within  the 
orbit  instead  of  before  it.  The  orbit  is  small,  subclrcular,  and 
well  defined,  not  only  by  an  acuie  malar  process  of  the  zygoma, 
but  by  a  very  prominent  supraorbital  process,  these  two  to- 
gether completing  more  than  two-thirds  of  the  circumference 
of  a  circle.  The  zygoma  is  not  very  strong;  it  is  moderately 
arched  upward,  with  quite  an  abrupt  rise  near  the  middle,  rather 
than  a  regular  general  curve.  The  glenoid  appears  rather  far 
forward  on  its  posterior  root,  i'he  orifice  of  the  meatus  audi- 
torius  is  small,  and  high  up  in  a  deep  recess  between  the  glenoid 
and  mastoid ;  the  latter  is  notably  large  and  prominent. 

Viewed  from  above,  the  skull  displays  the  great  brevity  and 
obtuseuess  of  the  rostrum  already  mentioned.  This  seems  to 
be  due,  in  a  measure  at  least,  to  the  anterior  position  of  the 
orbits,  and  the  forward  encroachment  of  the  broad  flat  anterior 
roots  of  the  zygoma;  other  topographical  points  are  less  dif- 
ferent from  an  ordinary  Musteline  type.  The  sides  of  the  ros- 
trum are  about  parallel,  its  width  is  fully  equal  to  its  length. 
Just  in  front  of  the  orbital  brim,  at  its  upper  corner,  is  seen  a 
well-marked  depression.  The  interorbital  area  is  a  broad  ele- 
vated tablet,  perfectly  smooth  and  flat,  bounded  behind  by  the 
forks  of  the  sagittal  crest,  proceeding  in  curved  lines  from  the 
termination  of  the  sagittal  crest  to  the  supraorbital  processes. 
All  the  surface  of  the  skull  behind  these  is  roughened  by 
muscular  impressions.  Supraorbital  processes  are  much  more 
largely  developed  than  usual,  acute,  directly  transverse.  The 
skull  is  nery  narrow  just  behind  these,  the  point  of  greatest 
constriction  being  decidedly  in  advance  of  the  middle  of  the 
skull.    From  this  point  backward,  the  skull  bulges  considvirably, 


'^m 


SKULL  OF  LUTRA  CANADENSIS. 


303 


with  a  goneral  ovoidal  contour.  The  occipital  crest  ia  iiioder' 
atdy  developed ;  the  line  of  contour  it  repre8ent.s  is  eniargi'iate 
on  the  middle  line,  then  strongly  convex  on  eattli  side,  thence 
about  straight  to  itH  teruiiiuition  at  the  nuiHtnidH.  There  is 
rarely,  if  ever,  even  in  the  oldest  skulls,  a  decided  sagittal  crest, 
the  median  line  being  in  fact  rather  a  groove,  at  least  behind ; 
in  front,  however,  there  is  a  slight  raised  lino.  In  young 
animals,  there  are  several  parallel  grooves  and  stria;  uloug  the 
median  line.  . 

The  occipital  face  of  the  skull  is  in  general  flat,  with  various 
muscular  irregularities,  curving  around  laterally  to  the  mastoid 
region.  It  is  bounded  above  by  the  occipital  crest,  the  general 
contour  of  which,  in  this  view,  resembles  the  dorsal  profile  of 
a  military  chapoau.  The  condyles  are  large,  and  the  region 
around  the  foramen  magnum  is  prominent;  it  descends  far  below 
the  level  of  the  slight  obtuse  paroccipitals,  the  apices  of  which 
fall  on  the  level  of  a  line  drawn  from  the  mastoid  to  the  middle 
of  the  foramen  magnum.  The  articular  surfaces  of  the  con* 
dyles  are  obliquely  oval,  with  no  outward  prolongation,  but,  on 
the  contrary,  an  extension  toward  the  median  line  till  ihey 
nearly  meet  each  other  beneath  the  foramen  magnum.  This 
aperture,  in  general  outline,  is  transversely  elliptical,  broader 
than  deep,  with  a  strong  emarginatiou  posteriorly. 

The  zygomatic  width  of  the  skull,  best  viewed  from  below, 
is  seen  to  be  not  much  less  than  three-fourths  the  total  length 
(2.90  X  4.2U  inches  for  example) ;  the  intermastoid  width  is 
about  three-fifths  the  leugth.  The  zygomata  are  widest  apart 
behind,  thenco  approximately  moderately  in  a  nearly  straight 
line.  The  alveolar  borders  of  the  palate  are  about  parallel 
anteriorly,  and,  though  divergent  behind,  this  is  mostly  due  to 
the  size  of  the  back  teeth  themselves,  the  general  palatal  mar- 
gins inside  the  teeth  being  parallel.  The  palate  extends  far 
back  of  the  last  molars  (not  so  far,  however,  as  in  Taxidea), 
ending  about  halfway  to  the  ends  of  the  pterygoids.  The 
incisive  foramina,  very  short  and  broadly  oval,  are  directly  be- 
tween the  canines.  The  emarginatiou  between  the  pterygoids 
is  broad,  and  ends  with  a  rounded  outline  (with  a  median  process 
or  median  emarginatiou  indifferently);  these  bones  are  laminar, 
smooth  inside,  thickened  with  various  muscular  ridges  outside, 
end  in  long  hamular  processes.  The  glenoid  fossa  is  deep;  it 
develops  a  broad  overlapping  shelf  at  its  inner  back  corner, 
and  a  similar  but  slighter  one  at  the  outer  anterior  corner, 


304 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


ii! 


■:. 


together  frequently  sufficient,  in  old  individuals,  to  lock  the 
jaw.  The  posterior  'lares  are  only  separated  by  a  vertical 
median  septum  for  a  short  distance  ;  they  debouch  together  at 
the  edge  of  tlie  bony  palate  as  a  single  orifice,  as  in  Afustelidw 
generally,  but  not  as  in  Taxidea  (q.  v.).  The  bullfe  osscjb  are 
tiattish,  about  as  in  Mephltincc,  strongly  contrasting  in  this  re- 
s[)ect  with  Miistelinw  and  Melincc.  They  are  most  vaulted  at 
the  apteroiuternal  angle  ;  exteriorly  they  are  produced  into  a 
Jong  slender  tubular  meatus.  The  basilar  space  betwixt  these 
periotic  bones  is  very  broad,  with  its  sides  little  convergent 
anteriorly.  The  foramen  hicerum  posterius  sometimes  appears 
as  several  distinct  circular  foramina  through  which  the  cranial 
nerves  respectively  emerge  separately,  a  state  I  have  not  noticed 
elsewhere  in  the  family,  though  it  may  occur ;  it  is  analogous 
to  the  division  of  the  auteorbital  foramen  frequently  seen  in 
the  Skunks.  This  state  of  the  lacerate  fissure  is  usuallj'  un- 
symmetrical;  that  is,  it  is  not  alike  on  both  sides  cf  the  same 
skull. 

The  bones  of  the  skull  are  early  confluent  in  Lutra.  Thus 
even  the  nasal  sutures,  usually  among  the  most  persistent  in 
]i[usteUda\  are  obliterated  at  an  age  when  the  skull  is  still  thin 
and  i)apery.  In  a  very  young  specimen  in  which  the  bones  are 
still  mostly  distinct,  I  observe  the  following  disposition  of  the 
sutures:  The  nasals  are  received  behind  in  a  shallow  semi- 
circular recess  of  the  frontal;  their  sides  are  approximately 
parallel;  the  intermaxillary  and  maxillary  form  each  about 
half  of  the  rest  of  the  nasal  boundary.  The  maxillary  ends 
about  opposite  the  middle  of  the  orbit ;  there  is  but  a  begi,nning 
of  wedging  of  a  process  of  the  frontal  between  the  nasal  and 
superior  maxillary  (cf.  Taxidea).  The  coronal  suture  is  ex- 
extremely  irregular;  it  lies  altogether  back  of  a  line  drawn 
across  the  apices  of  the  ccronoid  processes  when  the  jaw  is  in 
hHu.  Nearly  all  the  dome  of  the  cranium  is  parietal,  the 
squamosal  forming  only  a  low  irregular  border  along  the  side, 
not  a  fourth  of  au  inch  above  the  root  of  the  zygoma,  though  it 
occupies  much  surface  beneath  the  skull.  Owing  to  the  width 
of  the  glenoid,  it  is  entirely  separate  from  the  sphenoid.  Tlie 
occipital  crest  is  also  chiefly  parietal,  as  the  lambdoidal  suture 
passes  across  it  to  gain  the  back  aspect  of  the  skull  at  a  point 
nearer  tc  the  median  line  than  to  the  mastoid.  The  latter  is  a 
sizable  element,  wedged  between  the  parietal  and  squamosal 
above,  periotic  below  and  in  front,  and  a  small  piece  of  the 


SKULL  OF  LUTRA  CANADENSIS. 


305 


oc'Mpital  behind;  it  is  already  partly  contUieiit  with  the  periotic. 
The  basilar  suture  is  distinct,  directly  transverse,  near  the  an- 
terior end  of  the  bulhe.  Sijnilarly,  the  spheno-vomerine  suture 
is  open  ;  it  appears  back  of  the  end  of  the  palate.  The  ptery- 
goids arc  already  lost  in  the  sphenoid,  but  the  pterygo  palatal 
suture  is  evident,  ojjposite  the  spheno-vomerine.  The  contour 
of  the  palatine  bones  may  be  traced  all  around,  though  their 
p  datal  plates  are  fused  with  each  other.  The  niaxillopalatine 
suture  is  opposite  the  anterior  portion  of  the  last  premolar.  The 
palatal  plate  extends  far  backward,  as  already  twice  indicated 
la  noticing  other  points,  and  its  orbital  portion  curves  over  into 
the  temporal  fossa,  though  it  forms  but  an  insignificant  portion 
of  the  orbit  i)roper,  being  only  prolonged  by  a  slight  i)rocess 
fairly  into  the  orbit.  The  orbito  sphenoid  remains  instruct- 
ively distinct  from  all  surroundings,  bounded  Jibove  and  in 
front  by  the  frontal,  behind  and  partly  below  by  the  alisj)he- 
noid,  for  the  rest  below  by  the  palatal.  The  lachrymal  is 
similarly  distinct,  except  anteriorly.  The  malar  is  seen  to  form 
most  of  the  zygomatic  arch  ;  though  the  pointed  process  of  the 
squamosal  overlies  it  nearly-  halfway,  its  bevelled  posterior 
extremity  reaches  almost  to  the  glenoid  fossa  ;  its  anterior  ex- 
tremity runs  along  on  top  the  maxillary  to  the  lachrymal,  form- 
ing an  upper  layer  of  the  bridge  over  the  anteorbital  foi-amen. 
The  palatal  plates  of  the  intermaxillaries  extend  in  a  V  past 
the  canines  to  a  point  on  the  median  line  opposite  the  second 
premolar;  the  incisive  foramina  are  not  pierced  entirely  in  these 
bones,  their  posterior  periphery  being  completed  by  a  nick  in  the 
corresponding  border  of  the  palatal  plate  of  the  superior 
maxillary. 

Keturning  to  the  adult  skulls  for  examination  of  the  mandi- 
ble, we  find  that  this  bone  has  a  stout  thick  ramus,  with  long 
slanting  symphysis,  an  irregular  continuous  curve  froui  incisors 
to  angle,  with  a  slight  emarginatiou  just  in  advance  of  the 
latter,  an«l  a  rather  low  broad  obtuse  coronoid,  the  front  border 
of  which  is  nearly  straight  and  verti(!al,  the  posterit)r  border 
curving  forward  with  quite  an  elbow  to  the  apex.  The  condyle 
is  wide  across,  but  narrow  in  the  other  direction;  it  slants 
oblique  both  to  the  horizontal  and  vertical  plane,  its  inner  end 
being  both  higher  and  further  back  than  the  other.  There  is 
a  deep  notch  between  the  condyle  and  angle  of  the  jaw,  which 
last  is  not  exllected.  The  miiscular  impression  on  the  outside 
of  the  jaw  is,  as  usual,  well  marked ;  it  ends  below  in  a  rounded* 
outline  beneath  the  list  molar. 
20  M 


.it. 


■if 

li 

',  M 


30G 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


For  tbe  deutitiou,  a  .voung  subject  is  preferably  selected,  iu 
which  the  teeth  are  fully  formed  but  entirely  unworn.    The 
back  upper  molar  is  quadrate  in  general  contour,  as  in  Mephi- 
iimv  {cf.  Melbuvj  Mustcllncv),  but  rather  lozenge-shaped,  the  inner 
posterior  and  outer  anterior  corners  being  less  than  a  right 
angle,  while  the  opposite  ones  are  obtuse.    All  the  corners  are 
rounded  ott".     The  tooth  is,  if  anything,  a  little  smaller  than  the 
next  one.     Its  face  presents  an  exterior,  narrow,  longitudinal, 
raised  portion,  in  the  closed  jaw  wholly  external  to  the  anterior 
lower  molar.     The  exterior  moiety  is  divided  across  by  a  sulcus ; 
its  inner  border  is  deeper  and  more  trenchant  than  the  outer ; 
its  front  part  is  also  deeper  than  its  back  part.     The  rest  of  the 
face  of  the  tooth  is  depressed,  and  presents  a  general  slight 
excavation,  with  a  very  prominent  acute  tubercle  antero-inte- 
riorly,  and  a  general  raised  border;  this  portion  is  applied  against 
the  similar  depressed  back  part  of  the  anterior  lower  molar. 
The  back  upper  premolar  is  essentially  triangular  iu  contour, 
but  with  a  bulge  of  the  postero  internal  border,  which  nearly 
gives  it  a  trapezoidal  shape.    It  consists  of  the  outer  deep  por- 
tion, made  up  of  a  single  very  prominent  acute  cusp,  connected 
by  a  trenchant  edge  with  a  smaller  posterior  cusp,  which  ends 
the  tooth  behind,  and  of  an  inner  low  portion  presenting  a 
general  slightly  excavated  surface  marked  with  a  slight  central 
prominence  and  bounded  by  a  well-developed  sharp  edge.    The 
great  develoi»ment  of  this  inner  moiety  along  the  whole  of  the 
tooth  is  the  strongest  dental  character  of  the  species  in  com- 
parison with  L.  vuJffaris.     The  cuspidate  part  of  the  anterior 
lower  molar  abuts  against  this  portion.    The  next  upper  pre- 
molar is  a  stout  two-rooted  conical  cusp,  with  .\  cingulum  and 
well-developed  heel  fore  and  aft,  and,  in  addition,  a  postero- 
internal depressed  part,  against  which  the  apex  of  the  posterior 
lower  premolar  is  apposed.    The  next  premolar  is  altogether 
similar,  but  smaller.     The  anterior  premolar  is  single-rooted, 
very  small,  and  in  peculiar  position,  altogetaer  internal  to  the 
canine,  with  Mhich  it  is  in  close  apposition;  both  of  the  ante- 
rior premolars,  in  fact,  are  in  close  relation  with  the  canine ;  the 
first  one  being  thrown  entirely  to  one  side  of  the  general  dental 
axis.    This  small  tooth  not  seldom  aborts  on  one  side  ;  but  I 
have  not  happened  to  find  it  absent,  altogether.     The  upper 
canines  are  not  peculiar ;  they  are  jjerhaps  shorter  and  stouter 
for  their  length  than  usual  in  this  family.    The  lateral  pair  of 
f  incisors  moderately  surpass  the  rest  iu  size  ;  the  others  are  on 


CRANIAL    VARIATION    IN    LUTRA    CANDENSIS. 


;507 


a  par  with  each  otlier ;  the  euds  of  all  are  obtusely  rounded, 
without  obvious  lobation. 

The  back  lower  molar  is  small  aud  circular,  as  usual ;  it  shows 
no  special  points.  The  front  lower  molar  consists  of  an  anterior 
tricuspidate  half  and  posterior  depressed  portion.  The  three 
cusps  are  very  prominent,  subequal  in  size,  forming  a  triangle, 
with  one  angle  anterior  and  median,  the  two  others  posterior 
and  lateral ;  the  posterointernal  cusp  is  rather  smaller  than  the 
two  others,  the  ridge  connecting  which  forms  the  trenchant 
edge  of  the  tooth.  The  back  part  of  tlie  tooth  is  a  simple  de- 
pression, with  raised  periphery,  which,  at  its  outer  part,  is  twice 
nicked,  with  slight  marginal  cusps  as  a  consequence.  The  pos- 
terior premolar  is  a  stout  conical  cusp,  well  heeled  fore  and 
aft,  with  a  secondary  cusp  half-way  up  its  back  border,  as  in 
Taxldea.  The  next  premolar  is  smaller,  but  similar,  except  in 
lacking  the  secondary  cusp.  The  front  premolar  is  again  simi- 
lar, but  smaller  still,  and  w  ithout  an  anterior  heel,  being  closely 
apposed  to  the  canine.  The  latter  is  short,  very  stout,  aud 
much  curved.  The  inferior  incisors  are  much  crowded  and  very 
irregular, even  more  so  than  in  Mmtclinw,  offering  an  interesting 
approach  to  the  condition  which  culminates  in  Enhydris  in  the 
disappearance  of  one  pair.  The  outer  pair  are  moderately  larger 
than  the  rest ;  the  next  pair — the  middle  tooth  on  each  side — 
set  almost  entirely  back  of  the  general  incisor  plane ;  they  are 
quite  deep,  though  little  of  their  face  appears  in  front.  The 
middle  pair  are  narrow,  and  closely  approximated.  The  ends 
of  the  outer  pair  are  lobate  ;  of  the  others,  not  appreciably  so. 

Vfiriations  i>i  the  alcidl  of  the  Otter. 

As  in  other  cases,  I  present  under  this  head  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen's 
measurements  and  comments,  extracted  from  the  paper  above 
cited  in  the  synonymy  : — 

"  Specimens  of  this  species  from  northern  and  southern  locali- 
ties do  not  differ  materially  in  size  ;  skulls  from  Newfoundland, 
Maine,  Lake  Superior,  Washington,  and  Georgia  agreeing  very 
closely  in  dimensions.  In  a  series  of  eighteen  (mainly  from 
northern  localities),  nine  attain  or  exceed  a  length  of  4.25,  and 
three  reach  4.50,  while  two  only  fall  as  low  as  4.00.  Seven  speci- 
mens from  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Umbagog,  Maine,  (in  Mus. 
Corap.  Zoiil.)  average  4.28  in  length  and  2.93  in  width  ;  two  of 
these  reach  4.50  in  length  and  two  fall  slightly  below  4.00  (3.90 
and  3.97).    Two  specimens  from  Washington,  D.  C,  have  a 


■!.     l 


308 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


length  respectively'  of  4.45  and  4.50;  oue  specimen  from  Saint 
Simon's  Island,  Georgia,  is  nearly  as  large  (4.32),  while  a  Fort 
Cobb  specimen  has  a  length  of  4.22.  These  four  are  the  only 
ones  from  very  southerly  i)oints.  Four  other  specimens,  from 
as  many  localities,  range  from  4.05  to  4.15;  while  three  speci- 
mens from  Newfoundland  range  from  4.03  to  4.25.  While  these 
specimens  are  too  few  to  warrant  positive  conclusions  as  to 
geographical  variations,  they  seem  to  point  to  a  great  constancy 
of  size  throughout  a  wide  range  of  latitude." 

Menaiirements  of  eii/hteen  skulls  of  Luru.i  canadkxsis. 


Locality. 

s 

4.20 
4.03 
4.15 
4.33 
4.40 
4.27 
4.50 
3.97 
3.96 
4.50 
4.15 
4.25 
4.05 
4.06 
4.22 
4.50 
4.45 
4.32 

501 

498 

Newfoundlan'il 

do 

2.75 
2.  53 

500 

do 

2  57 

490 

do 

2  90 

555 

Umbazos  Lake,  Maine 

3.00 

556 

do 

2.  85 

557 

do 

2.00 

559 

do 

2.7(1 

558 

do 

2.  7(1 

489 

do 

3.00 

4446 

Lake  Superior 

2.  85 

11H39 

2247 

13671 

Fort  Bertlwld,  Dak 

Saranac  Lake,  N .  Y 

Bayfield,  Wis. 

2.  Hi 
2.  57 

2.8-2 

8097 

Fort  Cobb,  Iiid.  Ter 

2.87 

Washington,  1).  C 

2.  95 

433 

do , 

3142 

Saint  Simon's  Island,  Georgia 

2.  7o 

History  of  the  species. 

The  existence  of  a  true  Otter  in  North  America  was  known 
to  the  earliest  systematic  writers.  Thus,  Buflfou  described  an 
Otter  from  Canada,  noting  its  larger  size  in  comparison  with 
the  European  species,  and  a  difference  in  the  color  of  the  fur. 
But  all  the  authors  of  the  last  century  i)ersisted  in  confounding 
it  with  either  the  European  L.  vulf/aris,  or  with  the  South  Amer- 
ican Carigueibeju,  Sarigovion,  or  Saricovienne,  both  totally 
distinct.  Pennant  had  also  a  certain  "Slender  Otter"  of  North 
America,  which  became  a  Lutra  gracilis*  of  authors,  and  may 

'  lu  establishing,  in  1816,  tlie  {^emis  I'lisa  for  the  Sea  Otter,  afterward 
called  Enhydra  by  Fleming,  Oken  has  two  species  (Lehrb.  Naturj;.  ISKi, 
p.  98G) :  one  of  these,  which  he  calls  Pusa  orientalis,  is  Enhydra  marina  of 
authors ;  iu  the  other,  L.  gracilis,  we  see  the  old  "  Slender  Otter  "  of  Pen- 
nant, Luira  gracilis  Shaw,  referred  by  Fisclier  with  a  query  to  his  genus 
Enydris  {^^Enliydra  Flem.).  Pennant's  beast  came  from  "Statenland";  Oken 
says  "Staatenlaiid,  Insel  an  Anierika  hd  New-York".  If  he  means  by  thi.s 
iivhat  is  known  now  as  Staten  Island,  New  York,  it  would  make  his  animal 
to  be  Lutra  (anadensis ;  perhaps,  however,  his  geography  was  at  fault. 


HISTORY    OF    THE    AMERICAN    OTTER. 


309 


or  may  uot  have  been  the  present  species.  The  error  of  con- 
founding  the  species  witli  that  of  Europe  was  refuted  before 
the  history  of  our  species  had  been  disentangled  from  that  of 
lie  Brazilian  Otter,  with  which  ours  was  confounded  by  vari- 
ous French,  and  even  American,  writers,  until  a  comparatively 
late  period. 

The  first  binomial  name  I  have  found  tor  this  species  is  the 
Mustela  canadensis  of  Turton,  p.  57.*  This  name,  which  ap- 
pears to  have  been  overlooked,  I  consider  undoubtedly  based 
upon  the  North  American  species;  it  consequently  anticipates 
the  name  Lutra  canadensis  bestowed  in  1823  by  Sabine,  who  is 
usually  quoted  as  tbe  authority  for  our  species.  In  the  same 
year,  Fr.  Cuvier  is  said  to  have  separated  the  Canada  Otter  from 
that  of  South  America,  and  to  have  also  described  as  distinct  a 
second  North  American  species,  under  the  name  of  Lutra  la- 
tajoina,  which  became  current  with  several  writers.  A  Lataxina 
mollis  was  described  by  J.  E.  Gray  in  1843,  and  his  type-speci- 
men was  afterward  figured  by  Audubon  and  Bachmau  as  a 
variety  of  L.  canadensis.  But  it  is  certain  that  neither  of  these 
nataes  indicates  anything  different  from  the  common  North 
Amercan  species.  Of  a  certain  ^'Mustcld  hudsonica  Lact'pede", 
quoted  by  some  autliors  as  pertaining  to  our  Otter,  I  know 
nothing. 

Prof.  Wyman;  in  an  article  on  the  articulation  of  the  jaw, 
above  cited,  named  our  species  Lutra  americana  in  1847. 

*  In  (luoting  Sabiue  as  the  authority  for  the  naiiio  "canarfews/s",  previous 
compilers  of  the  synonymy  of  this  species  appear  to  liave  altogether  over- 
looked the  much  earlier  "Miwtela  cunadensia"  of  Turton's  English  version  of 
the  Systema  Xdturw,  p.  Tu.  As  Turton  gives  no  references,  I  ara  uncertain 
whether  or  not  he  is  the  originator  of  the  name,  as  the  animal  was  known 
before  his  time;  but  this  is  the  earliest  nse  of  the  name  in  binomial  nomen- 
clature that  I  have  found,  Turton,  like  Pennant  and  others  of  his  prede- 
cessors, refers  to  the  American  Otter  in  connection  with  the  European 
species;  but  this  '' MmteJa  caiiadennin"  of  his  (p.  57)  is  additional  to  his 
other  notice  of  Mmtda  lutra  as  an  Inhabitant  of  Europe,  Asia,  and  America. 
The  diagnosis  is  merely  "black;  fur  smooth;  tail  long,  taper;  inhabits 
North  America",  which  would  do  very  well  for  the  true  Mnsfela  canadensis  or 
M.  pennanti  (Pekan,  Fisher) ;  but  it  is  as  pertinent  as  many  of  his  diagnoses, 
and  further  fixed  by  its  coming  under  his  section  "A.  Hind  feet  palmate. 
Otters",  as  opposed  to  his  "  B.  Feet  cleft.  Weasels".  Undor  head  of  the 
latter,  he  has,  on  page  59,  another  "J/«s^t7((  caiiudensh  ",  which  is  the  animal 
so  named  by  Schreber,  the  Pekan,  Turton's  double  employ  of  the  same 
name  for  two  entirely  different  animals  is  to  be  carefully  noted  to  prevent 
confusion  of  ([notations.  '^Mimlela  ranadcnuts,  Turton,  p.  .')7  "  is  Littra  cana- 
densis.    " Mnstela  Cfinadensis,  Tnrton,  \^.  it'J"  is  Mnxlela  cunndemtis. 


■' 

I  ■ 


,i:h" 


■m 


m 


310 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTKLID.E. 


Two  lately  introduced  names  require  special  notice  :  these 
are  Lutra  californica  Baird  {nee  Gray)  and  Lntra  destructor 
Barnston.  The  specimen  which  Prof.  Baird  referred  incor- 
rectly to  L.  californica  of  Gray,  taken  by  Dr.  Newberry  in  the 
Cascade  Mountains  of  Oregon,  is  now  before  me.  The  palms 
and  soles  are  rather  less  hairy  than  is  usual  in  L.  canadensis; 
still  they  are  decidedly  furred  between  the  digits  of  both  feet ; 
the  soles  show  the  curious  callosities  diagnostic  of  L.  canaden- 
sis, and  the  characteristic  large  nasal  pad  of  L.  canadensis  is 
well  exhibited.  Other  Otters  from  the  same  region  show  as 
fully  furred  feet  as  any  from  the  Eastern  States,  and  the  pecu- 
liarities of  tlie  one  from  the  Cascade  Mountains  can  only  bo 
regarded  as  those  of  an  individual,  within  the  normal  range 
of  variation  of  L.  canadensis,  to  which  it  must  unquestionably 
be  referred.  Prof.  Baird  indeed  separated  it  with  much  evi- 
dent hesitation,  and  mainly  because  it  was  supposed  (though 
erroneously)  to  represent  a  species  already  instituted  by  an- 
other author  {of.  op.  cit.  p.  188).  /Ilie  true  californica  of  Gray 
is  elsewhere  discussed. 

The  Lntra  destructor  is  represented  in  the  National  Museum 
by  specimens  received  from  Mr.  Barnston  as  typical  examples  of 
his  supposed  species.  They  are  rather  smaller  than  usual,  and 
perhaps  not  full-grown,  even  though  already  in  breeding  condi- 
tion ;  but  they  possess  all  the  essential  specific  characters  of 
L.  canadensis,  to  which  I  have  not  the  slightest  hesitation  in 
referring  them.  L.  canadensis  is  so  strongly  marked  a  species 
in  certain  respects,  already  fully  detailed,  that  there  is  no  diffi- 
culty in  recognizing  it,  notwithstanding  its  great  variability  in 
non-essential  particulars.  The  skin  and  skull  of  L.  destructor 
exhibit  nothing  beyond  the  normal  range  of  variation  of  L. 
canadensis. 

Geographical  distribution. 

The  Otter  is  generally  distributed  over  North  America,  ap- 
parently nowhere  in  great  abundance,  yet  absolutely  wanting  in 
few,  if  any,  localities  adapted  to  its  habits.  Being  a  shy  and 
rather  solitary  animal,  it  is  among  those  that  decrease  rapidly  in 
numbers  with  the  settling  of  a  country ;  but  its  very  wildness, 
together  with  its  wariness  and  sagacity,  stands  between  it  and 
total  extirpation,  even  in  populous  districts;  while  the  nature 
of  its  haunts  further  conduces  to  its  persistence.  Writing 
about  twenty-five  years  ago,  Mr.  Audubon  speaks  of  the  Otter 
as  being  no  lonj;er  found  abundantly  in  many  parts  of  the 


'li-i 


DISTRIBUTIOX    OF   THE    AMERICAN    OTTER. 


311 


country  where  it  was  formerly  numerous,  and  as  having  beea 
nearly  extirpated  in  the  Atlantic  States  east  of  ^Maryland. 
Such  statement,  however,  seems  stronger  than  the  facts 
would  warrant ;  for  Mr.  Allen  speaks  of  the  animal  as  still 
"not  rare"  in  Massachusetts  as  late  as  ISGD,  he  having 
known  of  some  half  dozen  specimens  which  were  taken  near 
Springfield  during  the  ten  preceding  years.  The  "Eastern 
Shore  "of  Maryland  appears  to  have  always  been  a  favorite 
locality  with  the  Otter;  Audubon  specially  mentions  this 
region,  and  specimens  are  still  taken  there  or  in  other  spots 
along  the  Potomac,  not  far  from  Washington  City.  The  last 
one  I  saw  from  this  region  was  brought  freshly  killed  to  the 
Smithsonian  Institution  in  1874.  Northerly  the  Otter  extends, 
according  to  llichardson,  nearly  to  the  Arctic  Ocean,  along  the 
Mackenzie  and  other  rivers;  and  it  also  inhabits  the  northern- 
most system  of  lakes.  In  the  times  of  the  author  just  men- 
tioned, some  seven  or  eight  thousand  pelts*  were  annually  ex- 
ported from  British  America  to  England,  and  the  trade  does 
not  appear  to  have  decreased  to  this  day,  for  I  find  among  the 
quotations  of  sales  of  Otters  within  two  or  three  years  by  tie 
Hudson's  Bay  Company,  in  London,  over  eleven  thousand  set 
down  for  1873.  If  the  skulls,  unaccompanied  by  skins,  which 
I  have  examined  from  Alaska,  are  really  of  this  species,  the 
Otter  is  abundant  in  that  new  portion  of  United  States  ter- 
ritory. According  to  Messrs.  Gibbs  and  Suckley,  writing  in 
1859,  the  Otter,  called  by  the  Yakima  Indians  nooJcshi,  in- 
creased in  abundance  in  Oregon  and  Washington  with  the 
decline  of  the  fur  trade,  and  were  numerous  in  the  waters  of 
the  Cascade  Kange.  Dr.  J.  S.  Newberry  (1857)  attests  the 
presence  of  the  Otter  "  on  all  parts  of  the  Pacific  coast,  both 
on  the  sea  shore  and  in  the  inland  streams  and  lakes.  In  the 
Cascade  Mountains,  where  neither  otter  nor  beaver  had  been 
much  hunted,  and  where  both  were  abundant,  we  found  the 
beaver  in  the  streams,  but  the  otter  in  great  abundance  in  the 
mountain  lakes  where  the  streams  take  tlieir  rise.  There  they 
subsist  on  the  western   brook-trouts  and  a  Corcgonus  with  a 

'This  stateiimnt,  liowever,  it  should  l)e  obsorveil,  is  widely  discrepant 
frim  some  others,  iinlens  only  some  special  lines  of  importation  are  here  re- 
ferred to  hy  the  .uithor.  Accordii)jr  to  Rell,  there  were  imported  into  Eng- 
land, of  the  skins  of  the  North  American  Otter,  713,115  in  1^30,  494,067  in 
l'*31,  'i'2'i,iO:\  in  lH3i»,  thonjrh  only  'r.\fi>ii)  in  1833.  "After  September  1,  1K!3, 
the  dnty  was  reduced  from  ^d.  each  to  In.  per  hnndred,  since  which  I  believe 
the  importation  has  <;rndnally  increased."— (/)Vi^!s/i  QuadrupcdK,  lH37,p.  130).) 


II'! 


if 


;?fe 

u 

^1 

,i| 

P 

1 

312 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELIDiE 


craytisli,  Astaciis  Klamathcnm  ...  lu  Klaiuath  lakes  the 
otter  is  quite  eoinmoii  ....  their  food  is  a  la''P"»  sucker 
{CatastomuH  occidentaUs)  and  a  species  of  Gila,  both  r  slug- 

gish fish,  and  such  as  would  be  easily  caught" — uni"  i  very 

active  Salmonidw  just  mentioned.    At  the  tirar  .lich  the 

writer  refers,  the  i)elts  were  much  more  in  dem  uan  those 

of  the  Beaver,  $2.50  being  paid  in  goods  by  the  ludson's  Bay 
Company  at  Vancouver,  while  Beaver  brought  only  one-fifth 
as  much. 

In  the  muddy  waters  of  the  Missouri  Basin,  not  overstocked 
with  fish,  the  Otter  seems  to  exist  but  sparingly.  Audubon  only 
"observed  traces"  of  their  presence  in  his  journey  up  to  the 
Yellowstone,  llayden  includes  the  species  among  the  animals 
observed  in  the  Upper  Missouri  country,  where,  however,  it  does 
not  appear  to  have  come  under  Mr.  Allen's  observation.  North 
of  this  area,  in  the  region  of  the  lied  Kiver  and  other  streams, 
thence  westward  to  the  llocky  Mountains,  I  ascertained  the 
general,  though  probably  not  abundant,  occurrence  of  the  spe- 
cies. Mr.  Allen  found  the  Otter  to  be,  in  Jowa,  "common  on 
the  Baccoon  Rivers,  and  generally  more  or  less  so  throughout 
the  State"; — "occasional  along  the  streams"  of  Kansas; — and 
"  more  or  less  frequent  in  Salt  Lake  Valley,  and  in  the  adjoining 
mountains".  Drs.  Coues  and  Yarrow  give  the  species  as  found 
sparingly  in  various  portions  of  the  Southwestern  Territories. 
My  recent  exploration  of  portions  of  Colorado  did  not  reveal  the 
presence  of  the  Otter,  but  I  do  not  on  this  account  deny  its  ex- 
istence, perhaps  in  abundance,  in  the  numerous  mountain  lakes 
and  streams  of  that  State,  which  harbor  countless  Beavers, 
and  seem  in  every  way  suited  to  the  requirements  of  the  Otter.* 

In  Audubon's  time,  the  Otter  was  "still  abundant  in  the  riv- 
ers and  reserve-dams  of  the  rice  fields  of  Carolina",  and  was 
"not  rare  in  Georgia,  Louisiana  and  Texas",  According  to 
Mr.  Allen,  it  is  still  "abundant"  in  Florida,  where  it  is  little 
hunted,  its  fur  being,  in  this  southern  region,  of  comparatively 
little  value.  But  the  southern  limits  of  the  distribution  of  the 
species  remain  to  be  determined.  A  Mexican  Otter  is  certainly 
of  a  diiferent  species  from  ours,  whether  or  not  the  latter  also 
exists  in  that  country;  and  I  am  not  aware  of  any  unquestion- 
able citation  of  true  canadensis  as  Mexican.  I  am  therefore 
much  surprised  at  Dr.  von  Frantzius's  recent  citation  of  this  spe- 

*Siuce  this  paragraph  w.xs  i)eDnu(1, 1  havo  seen  a  speciuieii  In  Mrs.  Max- 
well's collection,  from  the  vicinity  of  Honldcr,  Colorado. 


i 


HABITS    OF   OTTERS. 


313 


cies  from  Costa  liica,*  which  is  considerably  beyond  the  usually 
recognized  range  of  true  canadensis,  the  actual  occurrence  of 
which  so  far  south  may  possibly  be  still  open  to  question. 
With  this  single  exception,  I  do  not  know  of,  at  least  I  do  not 
recall  at  present  writing,  any  special  indication  of  the  presence 
of  L.  canadensis  proper  south  of  the  United  States,  though  in  a 
general  way  it  has  been  often  accredited  with  a  range  coexten- 
sive with  the  continent  of  North  America,  and  has  even  been 
ascribed,  with  a  query,  to  South  America. 


Habits  of  Otters. 

Although  I  have  observed  the  "  seal "  of  the  Otter  and  its 
curious  "  slides"  in  various  parts  of  our  country  during  the  years 
I  have  been  a  student  of  our  animals,  I  cannot  truly  aver  that 
I  have  ever  laid  eyes  upon  a  living  individual ;  and  to  speak 
of  its  habits,  I  must  give  information  at  second  hand.  Pre- 
suming upon  the  reader's  knowledge  of  the  thoroughly  aquatic 
and  highly  piscivorous  nature  of  the  animal,  1  turn  to  the  vari- 
ous histories  at  our  disposal  in  further  elucidation  of  its  habits. 

According  to  Richardson,  one  of  the  earliest  authors  giving 
accounts  of  the  species  with  precision,  "the  Canada  Otter  re- 
sembles the  EuropeJin  species  in  its  habits  and  food.  In  the 
winter  season,  it  frequents  rapids  and  falls,  to  have  the  advant- 
age of  open  waterj  and  when  its  usual  haunts  are  frozen  over, 
it  will  travel  to  a  great  distance  through  the  snow,  in  search 
of  a  rapid  that  has  resisted  the  severity  of  the  weather.  If 
seen,  and  pursued  by  hunters  on  these  journies,  it  will  throw 
itself  forward  on  its  belly,  and  slide  through  the  snow  for  sev- 
eral yards,  leaving  a  deep  furrow  behind  it.  This  movement  is 
repeated  with  so  much  rapidity,  that  even  a  swift  runner  on 
snow-shoes  has  much  trouble  in  overtaking  it.  It  also  doubles 
on  its  track  with  much  cunning,  and  dives  under  the  snow  to 
elude  its  pursuers.  When  closely  pressed,  it  will  turn  and  de- 
feud  itself  with  great  obstinacy.  In  the  spring  of  182G,  at  Great 
Bear  Lake,  the  Otters  frequently  robbed  our  nets,  which  were 
set  under  the  ice,  at  the  distance  of  a  few  yards  from  a  piece  of 
open  water.  They  generally  carried  otf"  the  heads  of  the  fish, 
and  left  the  bodies  sticking  in  the  net. 

"The  Canada  Otter  has  one  litter  annually  about  the  middle 
of  April  of  from  one  to  three  young." 


-,\m 


Will, 


*Aicl),  liir  Niiturg.  1869,  p.  gr-y. 


314 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


In  tlie  Middle  and  Southern  States,  Audubon  says  they  are 
about  one  month  earlier.* 

The  slidingof  the  Otter,  which  Sir  John  describes,  is  not  alone 
resorted  to  in  the  endeavor  to  avoid  pursuit;  and  again,  it  is 
something  more  than  simply  an  easy  way  of  slipping  down  a 
wet  sloping  bank  into  the  water.  It  seems  to  be  a  favorite 
amusement  of  this  creature,  "just  for  fun''.  Godman  speaks 
of  the  diversion  in  the  following  terms:— "Tlieir  favorite  sport 
is  sliding,  and  for  this  purpose  in  winter  the  highest  ridge  of 
snow  is  selected,  to  the  top  of  which  the  Otters  scramble,  where, 
lying  on  the  belly  with  the  fore-feet  bent  backwards,  they  give 
themselves  an  impulse  with  their  hind  legs  and  swiftly  glide 
headforemost  down  the  declivity,  sometimes  for  the  distance 
of  twenty  yards.  This  sport  they  continue  aj)parently  with  the 
keenest  enjoyment  until  fatigue  or  hunger  induces  them  to 
desist." 

Statements  of  similar  import  are  made  by  various  writers, 
and  accord  with  Audubon's  personal  observations,  as  rendered 
by  him  in  the  following  language: — 

"  The  otters  ascend  the  bank  at  a  place  suitable  for  their 
diversion,  and  sometimes  where  it  is  very  steep,  so  that  they 
are  obliged  to  make  quite  an  effort  to  gain- the  top;  they  slide 
down  in  rapid  succession  where  there  are  many  at  a  sliding 
place.  On  one  occasion  we  were  resting  ourself  on  the  bank 
of  Canoe  Creek,  a  small  stream  near  Henderson,  which  empties 
into  the  Ohio,  when  a  pair  of  Otters  made  their  appearance, 
and  not  observing  our  proximity,  began  to  enjoy  their  sliding 
pastime.  They  glided  down  the  soap-like  muddy  surface  of 
the  slide  with  the  rapidity  of  an  arrow  from  a  bow,  [t]  and  we 
counted  each  one  making  twenty-two  slides  before  we  dis- 
turbed their  sportive  occupation. 

"This  habit  of  the  Otter  of  sliding  down  from  elevated 
places  to  the  borders  of  streams,  is  not  confined  to  cold  coun- 
tries, or  to  slides  on  the  snow  or  ice,  but  is  pursued  in  the 
Southern  States,  where  the  earth  is  seldom  covered  with  snow, 
or  the  waters  frozen  over.  Along  the  reserve-dams  of  the  rice 
fields  of  Carolina  and  Georgia,  these  slides  are  very  common. 

'  According  to  Bell,  the  European  Otter  goes  with  young  nine  weeks,  and 
produces  tbreo  to  live  young  ones  iu  March  or  April  (Brit.  Quad.  1837,  130). 
The  period  of  gestation  of  our  species,  it'  diit'erent,  probably  remains  to  bo 
ascertained. 

t  [A  statonient  certainly  too  figurative  for  literal  acceptiitiou,] 


HABITS   OF   OTTERS. 


315 


From  the  fact  that  this  occurs  in  most  cases  diuiu'^  winter, 
about  the  period  of  the  rutting  season,  ve  are  inclined  to  the 
belief  that  this  propensity  may  bo  traced  to  those  instincts 
which  lead  the  sexes  to  their  periodical  associations.'' 

The  food  of  the  Otter,  and  the  manner  in  which  it  is  pro- 
cured, are  noted  by  the  same  author  in  the  following  terras: — 

"The  Otter  is  a  very  expert  swimmer,  and  can  overtake 
almost  any  fish,  and  as  it  is  a  voracious  animal,  it  doubtless 
destroys  a  great  number  of  fresh  water  fishes  annually.  We 
are  not  aware  of  its  having  a  preference  for  any  particular 
species,  although  it  is  highly  probable  that  it  has.  About 
twenty-five  years  ago  we  went  early  one  autumnal  morning  to 
study  the  habits  of  the  Otter  at  Gordon  and  Spring's  Ferry, 
on  the  Cooper  River,  six  miles  above  Charleston  [S.  C],  where 
they  were  represented  as  being  quite  abundant.  They  came 
down  with  the  receding  tide  in  groups  or  families  of  five  or  six 
together.  In  the  space  of  two  hours  we  counted  forty-six. 
They  soon  separated,  ascended  the  dift'erent  creeks  in  the  salt 
marshes,  and  engaged  in  capturing  mullets  {Mugil).  In  most 
cases  they  came  to  the  bank  with  a  fish  in  their  moiith,  des- 
patching it  in  a  miiuite,  and  then  hastened  back  again  after 
more  prey.  They  returned  up  the  river  to  their  more  secure 
retreats  with  the  rising  tide.  In  the  small  lakes  and  ponds  of 
the  interior  of  Carolina,  there  is  found  a  favourite  fish  with  the 
Otter,  called  the  fresh-water  trout  {Grystes  sahnoicles). 

"Although  the  food  of  the  Otter  in  general  is  fish,  yet  when 
hard  pressed  by  hunger  it  will  not  reject  animal  food  of  any 
kind.  Those  we  had  in  confinement,  when  no  fish  could  be 
procured  were  fed  on  beef,  which  they  always  preferred  boiled. 
During  the  last  winter  we  ascertained  that  the  skeleton  and 
feathers  of  a  wild  duck  were  taken  from  an  Otter's  nest  on  the 
banks  of  a  rice  field  reserve-dam.  It  was  conjectured  that  the 
duck  had  either  been  killed  or  wounded  by  the  hunters,  and 
was  in  this  state  seized  by  the  Otter,    .... 

"  On  throwing  some  live  fishes  into  a  small  pond  in  the 
Zoological  Gardens  in  London,  where  an  Otter  [presumably, 
however,  of  another  species]  was  kept  alive,  it  immediately 
plunged  off  the  bank  after  them,  and  soon  securing  one,  rose 
to  the  surface  holding  its  prize  in  its  teeth,  and  ascending  the 
bank,  rapidly  ate  it  by  large  mouthfuls,  and  dived  into  the 
water  again  for  another.  This  it  repeated  until  it  had  caught 
and  eaten  all  the  fish  which  had  been  thrown  into  the  water  for 


W 


m 


f,:i| 


31fi 


NORTH    AMEUIC'AN    MUSTELID.E. 


its  use.  When  thus  euyaged  in  (levouriiig  the  luckless  fishes 
the  Otter  bit  throngU  them,  crushing  the  boues,  which  we  could 
hear  snapping  under  the  pressure  of  its  powerful  jaws." 

The  nest  of  the  European  Otter  is  said  to  be  formed  of  grass 
and  other  herbage,  and  to  be  usually  placed  in  some  hole  of  a 
river's  bank,  protected  either  by  the  overhanging  bank  or  by 
the  projecting  roots  of  some  tree.  Its  fossorial  ability,  and  the 
general  intelligence  it  displays  in  the  construction  of  its  re- 
treats, have  been  greatly  exaggerated  by  some  writers,  to  judge 
by  the  more  temperate  language  used  by  the  distinguished 
author  of  the  History  of  BritiHh  Quadrupedn.  "  ^V'e  read  of  its 
excavating  a  very  artidcial  habitation,"  says  Bell,  "  burrowing 
under  ground  to  a  considerable  distance ;  making  the  aperture 
of  its  retreat  always  under  water,  and  working  upwards,  form- 
ing here  and  thei:e  a  lodge,  or  dry  resting-place,  till  it  reaches 
the  surface  of  the  ground  at  the  extremity  of  its  burrow,  and 
making  there  a  breathing-hole,  always  in  the  middle  of  a  bush 
or  thicket.  [*]  This  statement  is  wholly  incorrect.  The  Otter 
avails  itself  of  any  convenient  excavation,  particularly  of  the 
hollows  beneath  the  overhanging  roots  of  trees  which  grow  on 
the  banks  of  rivers,  or  any  other  secure  and  concealed  hole 
near  its  fishing-haunt;  though  in  some  cases  it  fixes  its  retreat 
at  some  distance  from  the  water,  and  when  driven  by  a  scanty 
supply  of  flsh,  it  has  been  known  to  resort  far  inland,  to  the 
neighbourhood  of  the  farm-yard,  and  attack  lambs,  sucking 
pigs,  and  poultry, — thus  assuming  for  a  time  the  habits  of  its 
more  terrestrial  congeners."  I  am  not  aware  that  such  extrav- 
agant statements  have  been  made,  with  any  authority  at  least, 
respecting  the  American  Otter;  and  indeed  one  has  only  to 
regard  the  general  configuration  of  the  animal,  and  particu- 
larly the  shape  of  the  fore  limbs  and  condition  of  the  claws,  to 
become  convinced  that  the  mining  operations  of  the  animal 
are  necessarily  limited.  It  does  not  appear  that  the  under- 
ground retreats  of  the  Otter  are  constructed  with  the  skill  and 
ingenuity  of  even  those  of  the  Muskrat.  A  retreat  examined 
by  Audubon  has  been  thus  described  by  this  author: — 

"  One  morning  we  observed  that  some  of  these  animals  re- 
sorted to  the  neighbourhood  of  the  root  of  a  large  tree  which 

*  [The  author  remarks  the  similarity  of  such  an  account  with  that  given 
by  Mr.  George  Bennett  in  describing  the  retreats  of  the  Ornithorhtfnvhtta  of 
Australia,  though  tlio  former  is  found  in  books  published  long  prior  to  the 
discovery  of  the  latter  animal.] 


TIAHiTS    OF    OTTKRS. 


317 


Stood  OH  the  side  of  the  pond  opposite  to  us,  and  witli  its  over- 
hanging branches  shaded  the  water.  After  a  fatiguing  walk 
through  the  tangled  cane-brake  and  thick  under-wood  which 
bordered  the  sides  of  this  lonely  place,  we  reached  the  opposite 
side  of  the  pond  near  the  large  tree,  an<l  moved  cautiously 
through  the  mud  and  water  to  its  roots:  but  the  hearing  or 
sight  of  the  Otters  was  attracted  to  us,  and  we  saw  several  of 
them  hastily  make  otf  at  our  approach.  On  sounding  the  tree 
with  the  butt  of  our  gun,  we  discovered  that  it  was  hollow,  and 
then  having  placed  a  large  stick  in  a  slanting  position  against 
the  trunk,  we  succeeded  in  reaching  the  lowest  bough,  and 
thence  climbed  up  to  a  broken  branch  from  which  an  aperture 
into  the  upper  part  of  the  hollow  enabled  us  to  examine  the 
interior.  At  the  bottom  there  was  quite  a  large  space  or  cham- 
ber to  which  the  Otters  retired,  but  whether  for  security  or  to 
sleep  we  could  not  decide.  Next  morning  we  returned  to  the 
spot,  accompanied  by  one  of  our  neighbours,  and  having  ap- 
proached and  stopped  up  the  entrance  under  water  as  noise- 
lessly as  possible,  we  cut  a  hole  in  the  side  of  the  tree  foar  or 
five  feet  from  the  ground,  and  as  soon  as  it  was  large  enough 
to  admit  our  heads,  we  peeped  in  and  discovered  three  Otters 
on  a  sort  of  bed  composed  of  the  inner  bark  of  trees  and  other 
soft  substances,  such  as  water  grasses.  We  continued  cutting 
the  hole  we  had  made,  larger,  and  when  sufficiently  .widened, 
took  some  green  saplings,  split  them  at  the  but-end,  and  man- 
aged to  fix  the  head  of  each  animal  firmly  to  the  ground  by 
passing  one  of  these  split  pieces  over  his  neck,  and  then  .press- 
ing the  stick  forcibly  downwards.  Our  companion  then  crept 
into  the  hollow,  and  soon  killed  the  otters,  with  which  we 
returned  home." 

Their  structure  being  identical,  the  American  and  European 
Otters  cannot  difi'er  in  their  general  movements  and  attitudes. 
In  speaking  ot  the  conformation  of  the  latter  species,  Bell 
remarks  that  evidently  every  facility  cojisistent  with  the  preser- 
vation of  its  structural  relations  with  the  rest  of  the  group  is 
given  to  the  Otter  for  the  pursuit  and  capture  of  its  proper 
food.  "  It  swims  and  dives  with  great  readiness  and  with  pecu- 
liar ease  and  elegance  of  movement;  and  although  its  action 
on  land  is  far  from  being  awkward  and  difficult,  yet  it  is  cer- 
tainly- in  the  water  that  the  beautiful  adaptation  of  its  structure 
to  its  habits  is  most  strikingly  exhibited.  It  swims  in  nearly 
a  horizontal  position,  and  dives  instantaneously  after  the  fish 


318 


NOliTJI    AMEKICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


that  may  glide  beneath  it,  or  pursues  it  under  water,  changing 
its  course  as  the  tisli  darts  in  various  directions  to  escape  from 
it,  and  when  the  prey  is  secured,  brings  it  on  shore  to  its  retreat 
to  feed." 

Yielding  a  pelt  of  great  beauty  and  value,  from  the  ex(jui- 
site  softness  and  rich  warm  color  of  the  fur,  as  well  as  from 
the  size  of  the  animal,  the  American  Otter  is  .systematically 
pursued  by  professional  trappers.  I  hf.re  alrert<ly  given  some 
figures  showing  the  thousands  annuaily  destroyed,  and  will 
condense  from  Mr.  Gibson's  work,  already  olten  quoted,  the  ac- 
count of  the  various  methods  employed — for  every  trapper  has 
his  own  notions  and  ways  of  doing  things,  and  in  the  pursuit 
of  so  valuable  and  so  wary  a  creature  as  the  Otter  there  is 
room  for  large  and  varied  experience.  The  animal  seems  to  be 
taken  in  this  country  usually,  if  not  invariably,  with  the  steel 
trap,  a  special  size  and  make  of  which,  with  two  springs,  goes 
by  the  name  of  "  Otter  trap".  Searching  for  a  "  slide  ",  or  place 
where  the  animal  habitually  crawls  from  the  water  up  the 
bank,  the  hunter  sets  the  trap  on  the  spot,  a  few  inches  under 
water.  No  bait  is  here  required  ;  and  devices  are  used  in  se- 
curing the  trap  l)y  which  the  animal  may  be  led  into  deep 
water  when  caught,  or  lifted  upward,  the  design  in  either  case 
being  to  prevent  the  animuFs  escape  bj'  gnawing  off  the  im- 
prisoned lim'\  The  trap  may  also  be  placed  at  the  top  of  the 
slide,  two  or  three  feet  back  of  the  slope,  in  a  place  hollowed 
to  receive  it,  and  covered  with  snow.  Under  such  circum- 
stances, care  is  taken  not  to  handle  the  trap  with  the  bare 
hands.  It  is  scented  with  various  animal  odors,  and,  to  fur- 
ther insure  success,  a  "  way  "  is  made  to  the  trap  by  means  of 
parallel  logs.  The  trap  is  sometimes  simply  set  in  the  beaten 
track  made  in  the  snow,  carefully  hidden  ;  or  at  the  entrance 
of  the  burrow  ;  or  at  the  base  of  a  slanting  log  with  one  end 
under  water,  the  Otter  being  attracted  by  bait  or  odor  placed 
beyond  on  the  other  end;  or  a  ),ock  which  projects  over  a 
stream  is  utilized  in  the  same  way.  In  all  these  methods,  the 
utmost  care  is  necessary  to  obliterate  traces  of  the  trapper's 
presence,  as  the  sight  and  smell  of  the  Otter  are  acute,  and  hit, 
wariness,  caution,  and  sagacity  at  a  very  high  rate.  "  In  win- 
ter when  the  ponds  and  rivers  are  frozen  over  the  otters  make 
boles  througli  the  ice  at  which  they  come  up  to  devou"  their 
l)rey.  Where  the  water  is  a  foot  deep  beneath  any  of  these 
boles  the  trap  may  be  set  in  the  bottom,  the  chain  being  se- 


HABITS    OF    OTTERS 


319 


cured  to  a  heavy  stone.  When  the  otter  endeavors  to  emerge 
from  the  hole  he  will  press  his  foot  on  the  trap  and  thus  be 
caught.  If  the  water  is  deep  enough  beneath  the  hole  the 
trap  may  be  baited  with  a  small  tish  attached  to  tliC  pan,  and 
then  carefully  lowered  with  its  chain  and  stone  to  the  bottom. 
For  this  purpose  the  Xowhouse,  No.  3,  is  b«st  adapted,  as  the 
otter  is -in  this  cavse  caught  by  the  head."  Audubon  speaks  of 
the  latter  method  as  one  very  commonly  employed  in  Carolina. 
Ilis  flgure  of  the  Otter  represents  the  animal  as  caught  by  the 
fore  foot  in  a  trap,  baited  with  a  tish  on  the  pan,  i)laced  on  a 
slanting  log  just  out  of  the  water.  IJut  traps  baited  on  the  pan 
are  not  set  by  experts  in  this  mode  of  trapping.  Audubon 
has  also  drawn  his  animal  as  coming  down  the  log  from  the 
upper  end,  which  the  animal  could  not  have  reached  without 
passing  over  the  trap  in  the  other  direction.  Though  drawn, 
furthermore,  "to  represent  the  pain  and  terror  felt  by  the 
creature  when  its  foot  is  caught  by  the  sharp  saw-like  teeth  of 
the  trap",  the  Otter  is  nevertheless  holding  its  foot  quietly  la 
the  trap,  and  resting  very  composedly  upon  the  log,  as  if  it 
feared  to  displace  the  trap.  In  reality,  however,  an  Otter  so 
caught  would  be  off  the  log  and  into  the  water,  trap  and  all,  in 
a  fraction  of  a  second  after  the  jaws  snapped.  In  writing  the 
text  to  this  fancy  sketch,  moreover,  Audubon  appears  to  have 
forgotten  that  the  trap  had  no  ''  sharp  saw-like  tee<^h  ":  it  is 
correctly  drawn  with  slraight-edged  jaws,  as  usually  manufac- 
tured. 

For  commercial  purposes,  the  skin  of  the  Otter  is  removed 
by  a  cross-slit  down  the  hind  legs,  and  withdrawn  whole,  with- 
out splitting  along  the  belly,  the  tail,  however,  being  slit  its 
whole  length  along  the  under  side.  The  skin  is  stretched  with 
the  hair  inside,  the  tail  alone  being  spread  out  flat. 

The  hunting  of  the  Otter  for  sport  does  not  appear  to  be 
practiced  in  this  country,  at  least  to  any  extent,  and  the  gun 
is  only  incidentally  and  rarely  used  for  its  destruction.  The 
mode  of  hunting  the  European  aninml  has  been  graphically 
described  by  Bell,  to  whom  I  return  for  this  portion  of  the 
subject: — 

"Otter-hunting,  formerly  one  of  the  most  interesting  and 
exciting  amusements  of  which  the  English  sportsman  could 
boast,  has  of  late  years  [1837]  dwindled  into  the  mert  ''ase  of 
extirpation.  It  was  in  other  days  pursued  with  much  oi  ^ho 
pomp  and  circumstance  of  regular  sport :  the  Dogs  were  chosen 


320 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID.E. 


for  tlit'ir  perseverance  and  resolution ;  '  good  Otter-hounds/ 
says  an  old  sportsman,  .  .  .  '  will  come  chaunting  and  trail- 
ing along  by  the  river  side,  and  will  beat  every  tree-root,  every 
osier-bed,  and  every  tuft  of  bulrushes: — nay,  sometimes  they 
will  take  the  water,  and  beat  it  like  a  Spaniel.'  The  huntsman 
and  others  of  the  party  carried  Otter  spears,  to  strike  the  Otter 
when  driven  within  their  reach;  horsemen  and  footmen  joined 
in  the  chase ;  and  the  whole  company  formed  a  cavalcade  of  no 
inconsiderable  extent  and  importance.  These  scenes  are  now 
no  longer  w'lnessed,  or  but  rarely,  in  England ;  but  in  WaleJi 
the  chase  of  the  Otter  is  still  kept  up  with  some  spirit,  in  cer- 
tain romantic  districts  of  that  roniantic  country  .  .  .  In  beat- 
ing for  an  Otter,  it  is  necessary  to  mark  the  character  and 
direction  of  his  'seal,'  or  footmark  in  the  mud  or  soil,  as  well 
as  the  recent  or  older  appearance  of  his  '  spraints,'  or  dung. 
These  signs  of  his  having  been  either  remotely  or  more  recently 
on  the  spot  will  afford  a  tolerably  certain  indication  whether 
the  animal  be  still  in  the  neighbourhood,  or  whether  a  further 
search  must  be  made  for  later  marks  of  his  presence.  When 
the  Otter  is  found,  tiie  scene  becomes  exceedingly  animated. 
He  instantly  takes  the  water,  and  dives,  remaining  a  long  time 
underneath  it,  and  rising  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the 
place  at  which  he  dived.  Then  the  anxious  watch  that  is  kept 
of  his  rising  to  '  vent,'  the  steady  purpose  with  which  the  dogs 
follow  and  l)ait  him  as  he  swims,  the  attempts  of  the  cunning 
beast  to  drown  his  assailants,  by  diving  whilst  they  have  fast- 
ened on  him,  the  baying  of  the  hounds,  the  cries  of  the  hunters, 
and  the  fierce  and  dogged  resolution  with  which  the  poor  hope- 
less quarry  holds  his  pursuers  at  bay,  inflicting  severe,  some- 
times fatal  wounds,  and  holding  on  with  unflinching  pertinacity 
even  to  the  last, — must  altogether  form  a  scene  as  animated 
and  exciting  as  the  veriest  epicure  in  hunting  could  desire. 
The  return  from  such  a  day's  sport  as  this  in  the  county  of 
CarK  arthen  is  thus  described  by  a  correspondent  of  the  Sport- 
ing Magazine: — 'Sitting  near  the  window,  I  beheld  approach- 
ing the  bridge  a  cavalcade,  and  found  it  was  Squire  Lloyd  of 
Glansevin,  escorted  by  the  gentlemen  of  the  neighbourhood, 
returning  t,  )m  Otter-hunting.  The  gentlemen  in  the  front  rank 
were  mounted ;  and  next  the  horsemen  were  three  men  neatly 
dressed  in  scarlet  coats  a»ul  white  trousers,  with  long  spears, 
on  which  were  suspended  three  hnge  Otters.  Now  the  hunts- 
man appeared  with  his  well  disciplined  hounds;  and  then  fol- 


I 


:,i.j; 


HABITS    OF   OTTERS. 


321 


lowed  the  cart,  with  nets,  spears,  and  other  paraphernalia,  and 
an  old  ballad-singer  appeared  in  the  rear,  who  sung  the  praises 
of  the  high-bred  hounds  and  their  worthy  master.' " 

The  general  intelligence  of  the  Otter  is  of  a  high  order,  and 
his  docility  is  such  that  he  may  not  only  be  thoroughly  tamed, 
but  taught  to  work  for  his  master.  Audubon  speaks  of  four 
American  Otters  which  a  gentleman  had  tamed  so  completely 
that  they  never  failed  to  come  like  dogs  when  whistled  for, 
crawling  slowly  with  apparent  humility  toward  their  master ; 
and  also  gives  his  own  experience  in  domesticating  several 
Otters,  which  became  so  tame  that  they  would  romp  with  him 
'I  his  study.  These,  he  says,  were  taken  when  quite  young, 
ana  became  as  gentle  as  puppies  in  two  or  three  days ;  they 
preferred  milk  and  boiled  corn-meal,  refusing  fish  or  meat  till 
luey  were  several  months  old.  On  this  subject  I  shall  once 
more  quote  the  attractive  page  of  Bell,  and  conclude  this 
lengthy  compilation  with  some  quaint  and  interesting  para- 
graphs respecting  the  use  of  the  Otter  as  food ;  the  actual  refer- 
ence being,  it  will  be  understood,  to  the  European  species : — 

"  That  the  Otter  may  not  only  be  readily  and  easily  tamed  and 
domesticcated,  but  taught  to  catch  and  bring  home  fish  for  its 
master,  is  a  fact  which  is  so  well  known,  and  has  been  so  often 
proved,  that  it  is  surprising  it  should  not  have  been  more  fre- 
quently acted  upon.  From  Albertus  Magnus  down  to  the  late 
excellent  Bishop  Heber,  instances  have  been  continually  nar- 
rated, some  of  which  have  gone  no  further  than  the  domestica- 
tion of  pet  Otters,  while  in  others  the  animal  has  been  rendered 
a  useful  purveyor  of  fish  for  the  family  table.  Amongst  other 
writers  who  have  attested  similar  facts,  honest  Izaak  Walton 
says,  '  I  pray,  sir,  save  me  one  [young  Otter],  and  I'll  try  if  I  can 
make  her  tame,  as  I  know  an  ingenious  gentleman  in  Leicester- 
shire, Mr.  Nicholas  Seagrave,  has  done;  who  hath  not  only  made 
her  tame,  but  to  catch  fish,  and  do  n\uuy  other  things  of  much 
pleasure.'  Albertus  Magnus,  Aldrovandus,  Gesner,  and  others, 
had  asserted  it ;  yet  Buffon,  losing  for  once  his  accustomed 
credulity,  and  running  to  an  opposite  extreme,  refuses  to  be- 
lieve in  the  susceptibility  of  the  Otter  to  be  brought  to  a  state 
of  domesticity.  The  former  of  these  writers  states  that,  in 
Sweden,  Otters  were  kept  in  the  houses  of  the  great  for  the  ex- 
press purpose  of  catching  fish,  which  they  would  do  at  a  signal 
from  the  cook,  and  bring  home  their  provender  to  be  dressed 
for  dinner.  Numerous  instances  have  been  recorded  in  later 
21  M 


iJ'Siiil 


322 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


times,  by  Daniel,  Bewick,  Shaw,  and  others ;  in  one  of  which 
an  Otter  had  been  known  to  take  eigi-t  or  ten  salmon  in  a  day : 
and  the  following  passage  in  the  journal  of  Bishop  Heber  con- 
firms some  previous  statements,  that  one  of  the  Asiatic  species, 
probably  Lutra  nalr,  (Fr.  Cuv.)  may  be  rendered  similarly  use- 
ful : — '  We  passed,  to  my  surprise,  a  row  of  no  less  than  nine 
or  ten  large  and  very  beautiful  Otters,  tethered  with  straw 
collars  and  long  strings  to  bamboo  stakes  on  the  banks  (of  the 
Malta  Colly).    Some  were  swimming  about  at  the  full  extent  of 
their  strings,  or  lying  half  in  and  half  out  of  the  water;  others 
were  rolling  themselves  in  the  sun  on  the  sandy  bank,  uttering 
a  shrill  whistling  noise,  as  if  in  play.    I  was  told  that  most  of 
the  fishermen  in  this  neighbourhood  kept  one  or  more  of  these 
animals,  who  were  almost  as  tame  as  Dogs,  and  of  great  use 
in  fishing;  sometimes  driving  the  shoals  into  the  nets,  some- 
times bringing  out  the  large  fish  with  their  teeth.    I  was  much 
pleased  and  interested  with  the  sight.    It  has  always  been  a 
fancy  of  mine  that  the  poor  creatures  whom  we  waste  and  per- 
secute to  death,  for  no  cause  but  the  gratification  of  our  cruelty, 
might  by  reasonable  treatment  be  made  the  sources  of  abun- 
ant  amusement  and  advantage  to  us.'    This  interesting  account 
justifies  the  conclusion  drawn  by  the  good  prelate  from  the 
scene  that  so  much  delighted  him,  that  *  the  simple  Hindoo 
shows  here  a  better  taste  and  judgment  than  half  the  Otter 
hunting  and  Badger  baiting  gentry  of  England.'    With  such 
instances  as  these  before  us,  there  seems  to  be  no  reason  why 
this  animal,  so  tractable  and  docile  as  it  is  proved  to  be,  should 
not  be  very  generally  domesticated  for  the  purposes  of  sporr, 
or  employed  by  fishermen  as  a  means  of  assisting  them  in  their 
calling. 

"  The  method  which  has  been  recommended  to  train  them  for 
this  purpose  is  as  follows : — They  should  be  procured  as  young 
as  possible,  and  they  are  at  first  fed  with  small  fish  and  water. 
Then  bread  and  milk  is  to  be  alternated  with  the  fish,  and  the 
proportion  of  the  former  gradually  increased  till  they  are  led 
to  live  entirely  on  bread  and  milk.  They  are  then  taught  to 
fetch  and  carry,  exactly  as  Dogs  are  trained  to  the  same  trick ; 
and  when  they  are  brought  to  do  this  with  ease  and  docility,  a 
leather  fish  stuffed  with  wool  is  employed  for  the  purpose.  They 
are  afterwards  exercised  with  a  dead  fish,  and  chastised  if  they 
diMtliey  or  attempt  to  tear  it ;  <tnd  finally,  they  are  sent  into  the 
water  after  living  ones.    In  this  way,  although  the  process  is 


EXTINCT  NORTH  AMERICAN  OTTER. 


323 


somewhat  tedious,  it  is  believed  that  the  Otter  maybe  certainly 
domesticated,  and  rendered  subservient  to  our  use 

"  The  habits  of  the  Otter,  and  its  rank  fishy  taste,  have  pro- 
cured for  it  the  distinction  of  being  permitted  by  the  Church 
of  Eome  to  be  eaten  on  maigre  days.  The  quiet  humour  of  good 
old  Izaak  Walton  could  not  rest  without  a  sly  hit  at  this  fact: — 

"  Piscator.  I  pray,  honest  huntsman,  let  me  ask  you  a  pleasant 
question:  do  you  hunt  a  beast,  or  a  fish  ? 

"  fftmt.  Sir,  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  resolve  you ;  yet  I  leave 
it  to  be  resolved  by  the  College  of  Carthusians,  who  have  made 
vows  never  to  eat  flesh.  But  I  have  heard  the  question  hath 
been  debated  among  many  great  clerks,  and  they  seem  to  diflfer 
about  it ;  yet  most  agree  that  her  tail  is  fish,  and  if  her  body 
be  fish  too,  then  I  may  say  that  a  fish  will  walk  upon  land  (for 
an  Otter  does  so),  sometimes  five  or  six  or  ten  miles  in  a  night. 

"Now,  were  we  to  adopt  the  reference  recommended  by 
honest  Izaak,  the  description  of  this  animal  would  have  fallen 
within  the  proviuce  of  my  good  friend  Mr.  Yarrell  rather  than 
mine;  for,  says  Pejinant,  'in  the  kitchen  of  the  Carthusian 
Convent  near  Dijon,  we  saw  one  preparing  for  the  dinner  of  the 
religious  of  that  rigid  order,  who,  by  their  rules,  are  prohibited 
during  their  whofe  lives  the  eating  of  flesh.' " 


|i^  if' 


.t. 


JCxtiiict  species  of  North  American  Otter. 


fjiitra  piMciiiarin.  fjr,!dif. 

hum .  Leldn.  (Jon  t  rib.  Extinct.  Vert.  Fn.  of  the  Western  Xerr.  (4to  Rep.  TJ.  S.  Geol. 

S'irr.  viil.  1    I  i7.<,  |>.  33(1. 
Lu*.r.l  piSCiaiJ*!!,  id.  ibU  p.  J16,  pi.  xsxi,  f..4  (tibia,  {  nat.  size,  from  Idaho). 

B ised  on  a  tibiji  submitted  to  Dr.  Leidy's  inspection  by  the 
S  iiithHotiidii  Institution,  procured  by  Clarence  King  on  Sinker 
Oieek,  lduh<>,  iii  association  with  remains  of  Eqtms  excelsus  and 
MofttodiUi  mirijictu. 

"Tiie  tibia  pertains  to  a  c<arnivore,  and  resembles  that  of  an 
otter  more  than  that  of  any  other  animal  with  which  I  have 
had  an  opp(utnnity  of  comparing  it.  Its  ditterenoes,  excepting 
dzo,  are  trifling.  The  tubercle  ice  insertion  of  the  quadriceps 
extensor  is  less  prominent,  so  as  to  give  the  head  of  the  bone 
proportionally  less  thickness  in  relation  with  its  breadth.  Th» 
ridge  fot  the  attachment  of  the  interosseous  membrane  at  tlio 
lower  part  of  the  bone  is  more  prominent  and  sharper.    The 


324  NORTH  AMERICAN  MUSTELIDJE. 

distal  end  in  front  just  above  the  articulation  is  flatter,  and 
the  groove  lor  the  flexor  tendons  behind  is  deeper. 

Lines. 

"  Length  of  the  bone  internally 59 

"Widthof  thehead 15 

"  Thickness  at  the  inner  condyle 10 J 

"  Width  of  the  distal  end  between  the  most  prominent 

points , 11 

"  Thickness  at  the  inner  malleole .  - 8" 


fM-    '    -filis-p: 


CHAPTEE    XI 


Subfamily  ENHYDRIN^:  Sea  Otter. 

General  considerations — The  genns  Enhydris — Generic  characters — Enhydria 
lutri8,  the  Sea  Otter — Synonymy— Habitat — Specific  characters — Descrip- 
tion of  external  characters — Description  of.  the  skull  and  teeth — History 
of  the  species — "The  Sea  Otter  and  its  hunting" — ^The  habits  of  the  Sea 
Otter. 

LASTLY,  we  come  to  consider  a  particular  modiflcation  of 
the  Musteline  type  of  strncture,  which  may  be  regarded  as 
an  exaggeration  of  various  features  characterizing  the  Lutrinas^ 
with  the  superposition  of  others  not  elsewhere  found  in  the 
family.  With  the  general  aspect  of  an  ordinary  Otter,  the 
JEnliydrinw  present  a  special  modification  of  the  limbs,  more 
particularly  of  the  hind  limbs,  which  are  developed  into  flipper- 
like  organs,  not  very  dissimilar  to  those  of  some  Seals.  There  is 
also  a  special  condition  of  the  pelage.  The  cranium,  in  gen- 
eral, is  like  that  of  the  Liitrince,  but  the  teeth  are  unlike  any- 
thing else  seen  in  the  family  Mustelidce.  One  pair  of  incisors 
is  wanting,  which  makes  the  dental  formula  unique.  Moreover, 
the  whole  dentelure  is  modified  in  adaptation  to  a  piscivorous 
regimen.  The  sectorial  teeth  are  defunctionalized  as  such;  if 
the  teeth  of  ordinary  carnivorous  quadrupeds  be  likened  to 
fresh-chipped,  sharp  and  angular  bits  of  rock,  those  of  the 
Enhydrinie  are  comparable  to  water- worn  pebbles. 

The  Enhydrinm  are  represented,  as  far  as  known,  by  a  single 
genus  and  species,  inhabiting  the  coasts  and  islands  of  the 
North  Pacific.  It  is  the  only  thoroughly  marine  species  of  the 
family  ]  it  furnishes  one  of  the  most  valuable  of  all  pelts  in  a 
commercial  point  of  view,  and  its  chase  is  an  important  indus- 
try. 

The  Genus  ENHYDRIS.    (Fleming.) 

<  MUHteia  ep.  Linnmus,  Syst.  Nat.  1758-86.  v 

<  PhOCft  up.  PaUa«,  Zoog.  R.-A.  1831. 

<  Lutrn  sp.  of  various  authors. 

-■  Pusa,  Oiken,  Lehrb.  Naturg.  1816.    (Not  of  Scopoli.) 

—  Rnhydra,*  Fleming,  Philos.  Zool.  1822.    (Also  written  Enhydris,  Enydris.) 

—  Latax,  atoger,  N.  Act  Nat.  Cur.  1897.    (Not  of  Gray.) 

*  Etyin. — See  anteA,  p.  29,  for  discussion  of  the  philological  bearings  of  this 
word. 

325 


i  H 


1  ?:■ 
'  ii' 


326 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


Generic  ciiakacters. — Dental  formula:  i.  ^~',  o,  j^',  pm.  g£g ; 
m.  ^ly  =  \  y  =32.*  Grinding  teeth  very  peculiar  in  Hhape,  without  trench- 
ant edges  or  acute  angles,  all  being  bluntly  tuberculous  on  the  crown,  and 
rounded  off  in  contour.  Molar  of  upper  jaw  irregularly  oval.  Last  upper 
premolar  not  dissimilar  in  shape,  and  but  little  smaller ;  others  abruptly 
less  in  size.  Anterior  under  molar  much  the  largest  of  the  lower  teeth ; 
posterior  premolar  and  posterior  molar  next  in  size.  Skull  generally  as  in 
Lutrince,  in  straight  upper  outline,  very  short  rostrum,  truncate  in  fi'ont 
and  flat  on  top,  backwai'd  production  of  palate,  size  and  shape  of  ante- 
orbital  foramen,  &.O.,  but  much  broader  for  its  length ;  thus,  the  interptery- 
goid  emargination  is,  if  anything,  broader  than  deep.  Sagittal  and  occipital 
crests  and  mastoid  processes  very  salient.  Glenoid  not  locking  condyle. 
Coronoid  of  mandible  sloping  backward  with  convex  fore  and  straight  or 
slightly  concave  posterior  border,  its  bluntly  rounded  apex  in  the  veVtical 
line  over  condyle. 

General  external  aspect  of  Lutrinw,  but  limbs  modified.  Fore  legs  short, 
with  small  paws ;  digits  webbed ;  palms  naked.  Hind  feet  with  elongated 
digits,  flipper-like,  webbed,  and  furry  both  sides;  claws  small,  hidden  in 
the  fur.    Habits  aquatic ;  habitat  marine. 


The  character  of  the  genus  is  so  fully  exhibited  in  the  fol- 
lowing account  of  the  only  species  that  further  remark  is  not 
required  in  this  connection. 

Tlie  Sea  Otter. 

EnbydrlM  Intris. 

Plates  XIX,  XX. 


Intra  mitrtna ,  SUUer,  N.  C.  Petrop.  ii.  1751, 367,  pi.  I&.—Erxh  Syst  Anim.  ITH,  445  (desorip- 
tioD  pertinunt,  but  aynouymy  mixed  with  that  of  another  species).— iScAreb.  Saug.  ill. 
1776,  465,  pi.  138  (SteUer).— 2imm.  Geog.  Gesch.  U.  1780, 313,  no.  1tn.—8haio,  Gen.  Zool. 
1. 1800,  444,  pi.  101.— De«m.  Manim.  i.  1820,  189,  no.  291 ;  "  Nonv.  Diet,  xviii,  216 ;  Ency. 
M6th.  pi.  79,  f.  3."— Harlan,  Fn.  Amer.  1835,  n.—Ologer,  N.  Act.  Nat.  Cnr.  xiiL  pt  ii- 
1827, 510  (proposes  Latax  as  a  better  name  than  Puia),  875  seq.;  "  Isis,  ii.  1839, 132  leq.; 
Sdmas.  Ball.  XV.  136  yeg."- 6odm.  Am.  K  H.  i.  1831,  228.  pi.  — ,  f.  i.—Wagn.  Arch.  f. 
Natnrg.  ii.  183S,  281. 

Btttra  [»ie]  marina,  H.  W.  Elliott,  Amer.  Sportsman,  Sept.  12  and  19,  1814  (biogtaphy; 
nnder  pseudonym  of  "Alaska"). 

Intra  (Enhydra)  marina,  Rich.  F.  B.-A.  i.  1829,  S9,  no.  21 ;  Zo51.  Beechey's  Toy.  1839, 5. 

Enhydra  marina,  Flem.  Philos.  Zo«l.  ii.  1822,  IffJ.—Orif.  An.  Kingd.  v.  1827, 133,  no.  369.- 
JilarHn,  P.  Z.  S.  iv.  1836, 59  (osteology).— Awd.  <£•  Bach.  Q.  N.  A.  Hi.  1853,  170,  pi.  137.- 
Newb.  P.  R.  R.  Kep.  vi.  1857, 43.— Bd.  M.  N.  A.  1857,  189.— Ooop.  <6  Suck.  N.  H.  "Wash. 

<■  Terr.  1860,  Il5.—Dall.,  Alaska  and  its  Res.  1870,  489  (habits).— S^,  W.  Elliott,  Condition 
of  Affairs  in  Alaska,  8vo  ed.  chap.  v.  1875,  pp.  54-62  (history,  habits,  the  chase,  eco- 
nomic and  commercial  relations). 


^ ,  like  all  other  Muatelidai. 
Prof. 


*  It  is  said  that  the  young  Sea  Otter  has  t.  | 
The  middle  pair  of  incisors  are  those  that  are  wanting  in  the  adult, 
Baird  (M.  N.  A.  1857, 189),  overlooking  the  peculiarity  of  the  incisor  formula 
of  the  adult,  but  correctly  noting  the  one  less  jiremolar  than  in  Lutrinw, 
gives  a  wrong  total  of  34  teeth  in  all,  instead  of  32. 


n 


SYNONYMY    OF   ENHYDRIS   LUTRIS. 


327 


Enydrls  inarlnn,  Licht.  Darstoll.  Sitng.  1837,  34,  pla.  49,  SO.—Ennan,  Reiae, ,  — ,  pL  11, 

12.— "  iraj/rt.  Gelohrte  Anzeigen,  i. ,  555;  Siippl.  Sclireber,  ii.  1811,  274." 

EnhydrlH  marina,  Sehim,  Syn.  1844,  'i51.—Giebjl.  Siiug.  1855,  TJi.—aervaia,  Journ.  de  Zool. 
iv.  1875,  pp.  200-206  (osteology). 

Latax  marina.  Less.  Nouv.  Tabl.  K.  A.  1842,  71. 

MUMtCia  liitrls,  L.  S.N.  i.  1758,  4,5,  no.  1  (ex  Act.  I'etrop.  1749,  267) ;  1766,  66,  no.  l.-8ehreb. 
Stiug.  iii.  1777,  pi.  128  (name  on  plato).— Om.  S.  N.  i.  1788,  93,  no.  1  (exul.  var.  B,  which 
=  brniiilien8is}.—Turt.  S.  N.  i.  1606,  57. 

Phoca  lutriti,  PaU.  Znog.  S.A.  i.  1831,  100,  no.  34. 

Llltra  lutrls  Less.  Man.  1827,  155,  no.  419.— Fr.  Ow>.  "Diet.  Sol.  Nat.  xxvil.  245";  Suppl. 
Buir.  i.  1831, 204.—/*.  Oeof.  "Diet  Class,  i.x.  5l»".-Fisch.  Syn.  1829,  227,  no.  7. 

EnhydrlH  lutrls,  Gray,  P.  Z.  S.  1865, 136,  pi.  7 ;  Cat.  Cain.  Br.  Mas.  1889,  — . 

Knhydra  lUtrlN,  De  Kay,  N.  Y.  Zool.  1842,  41.— Gray,  Cat.  Mamm.  Br.  Moa.  1843,  li.—Qerr. 
Cat.  Bones  Br.  Mus.  1862, 102. 

PUSK  orientaliH,  Oken,  Lehrb.  Naturg.  Tli.  iii.  Abth.  ii.  1816,  p.  966. 

Lutril  fttellerl,  Less.  Man.  1827, 156,  no.  423.  ' 

Enydris  stellcri,  FUch.  Syn.  1820, 229. 

TLutra  gracilis  Shaw,  G.  Z.  i.  1800,  447  (baaed  on  "Slender  Otter"  of  Pennant  Quad.  ii.  83., 
North  America,  Staten  Laud). 

TLutra  gracilis  (sub  Piisa),  Oken,  Lehrb.  Naturg.  Th.  iii.  Abth.  ii.  1806, 986. 

rEnydris  gracilis,  Fisoh.  Syn.  1839, 229  (from  Shaw,  {.  c). 

Meerotter,  SteUer,  "  Hamb.  Mag.  xl.  460,  with  &g."—MuU.  Natura.  i.  1773, 359. 

Beeotter,  Hallen,  "Naturg.  vierf.  Th.  1757, 567  ". 

Seebiber  oder  Seeotter,  "SUUer,  Kamtsch.  1774, 97  ". 

Seebiber,  MUU. "  Samml.  iii. ,  S44  ". 

KamtHchatltische  Bieber,  id.  "ibid.  529". 

Hea  Otter,  Pmn.  Syn.  Qnad.  1771,  341,  no.  175  (In  part) ;  Hist  Quad.  17S1,  — ,  no.  330|  Arct. 
Zool.  i.  1784, 88,  no.  36.— Ooo*, "  Third  Voy.  1874,  ii.  895,  pi.  43 ;  Mearea'a  Voy.  1790,  pp.  241 , 
260."— flttwK  <f.  Mtmi4»,  Phil.  Trana.  1796,  38.5 Seammon,  Am.  Nat  Iv.  1870,  65  (de- 
tailed biography);  "Overland  Monthly",  iv.  85  (biography);  Marine  Mamm.  1874, 
ohap.  vi.  pp.  169-175,  woodoata,  pL  xxiL  lower  flg.  (biography,  etc.). 

Sea  Beaver,  KroMoh.  "Hist  Eamts.  (Grieve's  transl.),  1764, 131." 

Eamtschatskoi  Bobr  or  Bobr  morskoi  Rwsian. 

Kalko,  Aliq. 

Kaian,  SteUer,  I.  c.  Gray,  I.  e. 

C  astor  marin,  Krasoh.  "  Hiat  Eamtach ,  444  ". 

loutre  de  mer,  Oook,  "Third  Toy.  (French  transl.),  pi.  43." 

Loutre  marine,  Desm.  I.  e..  Ft.  Guv.  I  c 

Loutre  du  Kamtciiatka,  Geoffr.  "Collect  Mus.  d'Hiat  Nat";  Lesson,  I  e. 

Loutre  marine  k  t£te  blanche,  "DiotSc.Natfaac.TiLpl.l9,f.3 '.— .penn.{.e. 
Tar.  L.  marina  with  a  white  head.  Earl  op.  eit  74. 

Lo  utre  de  Stel  ier.  Less.  I.  e. 

Sarlcovienne,  Buff.  "  Suppl.  vL  4to,  287  "  (in  part). 

HAB.--The  North  Pacific.    On  the  American  side,  south  to  Lower  Califor- 
nia. 

Specific  charactebs. — Hind  feet  broad,  like  a  Seal's  u.^pers,  the  soles 
furry ;  fore  feet  small,  like  a  Cat's  paws,  the  palina  naked ;  tail  terete,  obtuse, 
about  i  the  length  of  head  and  body.  Form  massive.  Color  dark  liver* 
brown,  bleaching  on  the  head,  everywhere  silvered  with  hoary  ends  of  tho 
longer  hairs.  Length  overall  about  4  feet,  of  which  the  tail  is  a  foot  or  less  ; 
hind  foot  about  6  inches  long  by  4  broad.    Qirth  about  3^  feet. 

Description  of  external  characters.* 

In  general  superficial  aspects,  the  Sea  Otter  is  not  unlike  a 
Seal — a  resemblance  increased  by  the  flipper-like  hind  feet.  The 

*  From  No.  9457,  Mus.  Smiths.  Inst.,  Alaska,  Dr.  Minor. 


,!3 

m 


W 


328 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


body  is  a  swollen  cylinder,  abrupt  behind,  tapering  before  to  a 
small  globose  head  without  notable  constriction  of  neck ;  the 
limbs  are  short ;  the  tail  is  short,  terete-tapering,  obtuse ;  there 
is  a  remarkable  disparity  in  size  and  shape  between  the  fore 
and  hind  feet,  not  seen  in  any  other  species  of  Mmtelidce.  In 
life,  the  skin  is  remarkably  loose  and  "rolling";  the  pelt  of  an 
individual  four  feet  long  readily  stretches  to  six  feet ;  and  when 
the  animal  is  lifted  up  by  the  skin,  a  foot  or  so  of  "slack" 
gathers.  The  pelage  is  notable  for  the  preponderance  of  the 
woolly  under  fur,  the  longer  stitfor  hairs  being  very  scanty.  It 
is  of  the  same  general  character  all  over  the  body ;  but  on  the 
head,  feet,  and  tail  consists  chiefly  of  a  finer  fur,  with  little  or 
no  admixture  of  bristly  hairs.  The  only  naked  parts  are  the 
muffle  and  palms. 

The  naked  mufile,  an  inch  broad,  and  deeper  than  this,  is 
lozenge-shaped,  with  acute  superior  and  inferior  angles,  obtuse 
lateral  angles,  straight  or  slightly  sinuous  uppBr  sides,  the 
lower  sides  somewhat  irregular  for  most  -*'  their  length,  owing 
to  the  nostrils ;  these  open  quite  broadly  upon  the  surface.  The 
face  of  the  nasal  pad  is  minutely  papillate,  and  divided  part 
way  by  a  vertical  line  of  impression.  The  eyes,  of  moderate 
size,  are  high  up,  forming  a  nearly  equilateral  triangle  with 
the  apex  of  the  muzzle.  The  ears  are  situated  remarkably  low 
down — far  below  the  eyes,  and  in  fact  little  above  the  level  of 
the  commissure  of  the  mouth ;  they  are  very  small,  flat,  obtusely 
pointed,  sparsely  and  very  shortly  pilous  outside,  only  partially 
furry  inside.  The  whiskers  are  few,  short,  extremely  stout  and 
stiff,  directed  downward  for  the  most  part ;  there  are  a  few 
other  bristles  over  the  eyes,  but  none  are  noted  on  the  chin  or 
cheeks. 

The  fore  feet  are  remarkably  small,  giving  the  limb  an  appear- 
ance which  suggests  amputation  at  the  wrist ;  the  digits  are 
very  short  and  much  consolidated ;  the  very  small,  short,  and 
much  arched  claws  are  almost  entirely  hidden  in  the  fur.  The 
general  contour  of  the  foot  is  circular  in  front.  The  palm  is 
naked,  and  minutely  granular,  with  small  roughened  tubercles. 
The  baldness  reaches  up  to  the  wrist  on  the  outer  side  in  a  nar- 
row space.  The  hind  feet,  on  the  contrary,  are  notable  for  their 
expansion  and  flattening  into  strong  effective  oars.  The  gen- 
eral shape  is  trapezoidal — the  longest  side  exterior,  the  side 
represented  by  the  ends  of  the  digits  next  longest ;  the  inner 
border  shorter,  while  the  angle  represents  the  fourth  and  much 


DESCRIPTION   OP   ENHYDRI8   LUTRIS. 


329 


the  shortest  side.  The  digits  are  entirely  webbed  by  membranea 
stretching  from  tip  to  tip  of  all  the  toes.  When  widespread, 
the  ends  of  the  toes  describe  a  slight  curve,  the  inner  one  being  a 
little  shorter  than  the  next,  the  rest  regularly  graduated.  The 
claws  are  short,  stout,  arched,  and  rather  obtuse,  hidden  in  the 
dense  fur,  which  completely  invests  the  foot  above  and  below. 
The  tail  is  short,  stout,  and  terete,  with  a  slight  taper  through- 
out, at  the  end  rather  abruptly  contracting  to  an  obtuse  tip. 

The  coloration  varies  greatly  with  age  and  season.  When 
the  animal  is  in  good  state,  like  the  specimen  now  under  par- 
ticular consideration,  it  is  deep  liver-brown,  about  the  same 
above  and  below,  everywhere  silvered  or  "frosted"  with  the 
hoary  tips  of  the  longer  stiff  hairs.  These  colorless  hairs  are 
rather  more  numerous  below  than  above,  giving  a  lighter  tone 
to  the  under  parts,  the  body  of  which,  however,  is  of  much  the 
same  color  as  the  back.  There  are  fewer  or  none  such  lijht- 
tipped  hairs  on  the  tail  and  limbs,  which  consequently  appear 
of  a  more  uniform  liver-brown.  On  the  fore  part,  just  in  advance 
of  the  shoulders,  the  color  lightens  rather  abruptly  into  a  gray- 
ish or  light  muddy  brown,  and  the  bleaching  increases  on  the 
head,  which  is  of  a  brownish-white.  The  whiskers  are  color- 
less ;  the  muffle  black ;  the  claws  dark. 

Among  the  numerous  specimens  examined,  including  some 
not  "  in  condition",  great  variation  is  es^hibited  in  the  extent  to 
which  the  ground  color  is  overlaid  with  the  hoary.  The  longer 
hairs  are  sometimes  so  numerous  and  so  extensively  bleached 
that  the  animal  appears  mostly  grizzly,  completely  bleached 
upon  the  neck  and  head.  The  light  hairs,  instead  of  being 
purely  hoary,  are  frequently  of  a  yellowish  tint,  as  if  soiled. 
The  variations  in  the  ground  color  are  chiefly  due  to  presence 
or  absence  of  a  "red"  shade,  which,  in  the  best  specimens,  pro- 
duces the  rich  liver-brown  hue  or  chocolate-shaded  color,  and 
the  absence  of  which  leaves  the  brown  of  a  plain  dark  charac- 
ter. There  is  often  a  noticeable  blackish  area  between  the 
fore-legs.* 

The  variability  of  this  species  in  size,  though  great,  is  only 
on  a  par  with  that  of  its  allies.  The  dimensions  may  be  gath- 
ered from  the  measurements  already  given ;  but,  though  these 
are  incomplete,  they  are  not  here  supplemented  with  others, 

*  The  tendency  to  special  particoloration  on  the  throat  and  breast  is  strong 
in  Mnstelidce.  It  is  fully  carried  out  in  Gulo,  Afustela,  Putorius  vison,  Ac, 
and  even  indicated  here  in  Enhydris. 


m 


Ml 


f| 


330 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


siuce  suck  as  could  be  ^Wqu  from  the  dried  skins  before  me 
would  be  only  approximate.  Tlie  ear  is  about  an  inch  long, 
measured  from  the  notch  in  front,  and  about  two-thirds  as  wide. 

Young  (a  very  young  individual,  under  two  feet  long,  also 
collected  by  Dr.  Minor  in  the  Aleutian  Islands). — The  coat  is 
comparatively  much  longer  than  that  of  the  adult,  loose, 
rather  harsh,  and  of  a  peculiar  iiutt'y  character,  with  kinky 
fibre.  The  naked  muffle  is  much  as  in  the  adult,  but  quite 
smooth ;  the  ears  are  entirely  hidden  in  the  abundant  wool  of 
the  parts ;  the  hind  feet  scarcely  show  their  proper  shape ;  the 
tail  is  clubbed,  rather  thicker  at  the  abrupt  end  than  at  the 
base ;  a  decided  constriction  of  the  neck  appears  in  the  speci- 
men as  mounted.  The  feet  are  quite  blackish ;  otherwise  the 
animal  is  dull  grayish-brown,  everywhere  strongly  frosted 
with  hoary,  lighter,  and  more  uniformly  brownish-white  on  the 
head  and  neck,  bleaching  to  dingy  white  underneath  the  head 
and  before  the  shoulders. 

To  sum  the  salient  external  peculiarities  of  this  species  in 
comparison  with  Lutra,  it  is  only  necessary  to  mention  the 
more  massive  form,  the  much  shorter,  more  uniformly  terete 
and  obtuse  tail,  and  wholly  peculiar  structure  of  the  feet.  To 
exhibit  the  characters  of  the  species  in  the  clearest  light,  I  add 
to  the  foregoing  technical  description  the  following  account 
from  Meares's  Voyage  (1790),  showing  how  the  appearance  of 
the  animal  would  strike  an  unscientific  observer : — 

"  The  Sea  Otter  is  furnished  with  a  formidable  set  of  teeth  ^ 
its  fore  paws  are  like  those  of  the  Biver  Otter,  but  of  much 
larger  size,  and  greater  strength ;  its  hind  feet  are  skirted  with 
a  membrane,  on  which,  as  on  the  fore  feet,  there  grows  a  thick 
and  coarse  hair.  The  fur  varies  in  beauty  according  to  the  age 
of  the  animal.  The  young  cubs,  of  a  few  months  old,  are 
covered  with  a  long,  coarse,  white  hair,  which  protects  the  fine 
down  that  lies  beneath  it.  The  natives  often  pluck  off  this 
coarse  hair,  when  the  lower  fur  appears  like  velvet,  of  a  beau- 
tiful brown  colour.  As  they  increase  in  size,  the  long  hair  falls 
off,  and  the  fur  becomes  blackish,  but  still  remains  short.  When 
the  animal  is  full  grown,  it  becomes  of  a  jet  [?J  black,  and  in* 
creases  in  beauty;  the  fur  then  thickens,  and  is  thinly  sprinkled 
with  white  hairs.  When  they  are  past  the  age  of  perfection,  and 
verge  towards  old  age,  their  skin  [furj  changes  into  a  dark 
brown,  dingy  colour,  and  of  course  diminishes  in  value.  The 
skins  of  those  killed  in  the  winter  are  of  a  more  beautiful 


^^ 


SKULL  AND  TEETH  OF  ENHYDRIS  LUTRIS. 


331 


black,  and  iu  every  respect  more  perfect  thau  those  which  are 
taken  in  the  summer  and  autumn.  The  male  Otter  is  beyond 
all  comparison  the  more  beautiful  than  the  female  and  is  dis- 
tinguished by  the  superior  jetty  colour,  as  well  as  velvety 
appearance  of  his  skin ;  whereas  the  head,  throat  and  belly  of 
the  female,  are  not  only  covered  with  fur  that  is  white,  but 
which  is  also  of  a  very  coarse  texture.  The  skins  in  the  highest 
estimation  are  those  which  have  the  belly  and  throat  plentifully 
interspersed  with  a  kind  of  brilliant  silver  hairs,  while  the 
body  is  covered  with  a  thick  black  fur  of  extreme  tlneness,  and 
a  silky  gloss." 

Among  other  earlier  descriptions,  that  of  Dr.  Pallas,  mod- 
estly styled  "ad  complementum  Stelleriauo)",  in  delicate  com- 
pliment to  the  previous  traveller,  may  be  cited  in  illustration 
of  some  of  the  more  infrecpient  variations.  Pallas  speaks  of  a 
specimen  from  Kodiak,  which  was  yellowish-white,  shaded  on 
the  back  with  gray  (e  flavescentialba, medio  dorso  grysea  nebula 
enumbrato).  The  old  animal,  he  says,  is  glossy  black,  with 
somewhat  reddish  unuor  fur,  and  often  over  five  feet  long;  the 
young  are  rather  dark  grayish. 

Description  of  the  sTcull  and  teeth.*    (See  Plates  XIX,  XX.) 

With  a  general  resemblance  to  that  of  Lutra^  the  skull  of  the 
Sea  Otter  differs  not  only  in  its  superior  size,  but  in  its  massive- 
ness,  depth,  breadth  behind,  truncation  anteriorly,  and  several 
details  which  will  appear  in  the  sequel.  There  is  a  general 
condition  which  would  suggest,  in  common  parlance,  such  terms 
as  "huge",  "bulky",  "misshapen",  and  a  superficial  likeness  to 
the  skulls  of  some  of  the  Pinnipedia,  with  which  the  Sea  Otter 
is  intimately  associated  in  its  mode  of  life. 

As  evidenced  by  the  sutures  in  some  very  young  skulls  before 
me,  the  disposition  of  the  several  bones  is  much  as  in  Lutra^ 
but  there  are  some  peculiarities.  The  malar  bone  is,  as  it  were, 
shifted  bodily  backward ;  it  reaches  to  the  glenoid  fossa,  and, 
in  fact,  just  misses  a  share  in  the  articulation  of  the  lower  jaw, 
while  in  front  it  stops  altogether  short  of  the  bridge  over  the 
anteorbital  foramen,  which  is  thus  circumscribed  only  by  a  very 
slender  rod  from  the  maxillary.  The  intermaxillary  bones  are 
so  short  and  deep  as  to  be  almost  vertical;  their  apices  merely 

'The  osteology  of  this  species  has  been  specially  studied  by  Martens  (P.  Z. 
S.  1836, 59)  and  Gervais  ( Journ.  de  Zool.  iv.  1875, 200-206).  Gerrard  gives  the 
vertebral  formula  as  C.  7;  D.  14;  L.  6;  S.  3 ;  Cd.  18. 


i 


.h*\ 


332 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


meet  the  extiemity  of  the  nasals.  More  than  a  third  of  the  in- 
cisive foramen  is  maxillary,  not  intermaxillary.  The  orbito- 
sphenoid  recedes  deeply  in  its  surroundings.  Other  points  will 
appear  in  a  topographical  account  of  the  skull. 

Viewed  from  above,  the  cranium  differs  from  that  of  Lntra  in 
greater  inflation  of  the  cerebral  walls,  especially  anteriorly, 
where  the  encroachment  upon  the  temporal  fossse  is  decided. 
Supraorbital  processes  are  not  so  well  developed  (about  as  in 
a  Badger  or  Marten;  the  development  in  Lutra  is  exceptional). 
The  nasal  orifice  is  greatly  foreshortened  in  this  view,  owing 
to  the  abrupt  truncation  of  the  mandible.  It  is  difficult  to  say 
how  long  the  rostrum  is,  owing  to  the  configuration  of  the  parts, 
but  it  may  be  estimated  at  about  one-sixth  of  the  total  length 
of  the  skull.  Owing  to  its  verticality,  the  anteorbital  foramen 
is  scarcely  seen  in  this  view  (it  comes  into  sight  inside  the  orbit 
in  Lutra).  In  old  specimens,  there  is  a  strong  sagittal  crest 
wanting  in  Lutra;  in  young  ones,  an  irregular  elevated  tablet. 
The  top  of  the  rostrum  and  adjoining  interorbital  space  is  a 
smooth,  flat  tablet,  as  in  Lutra.  The  occipital  contour  is  much 
as  described  in  Lutra. 

In  profile,  the  skull  shows  the  same  flatness  on  top  as  is  seen 
in  Lutra.,  with  the  additional  feature  of  an  almost  vertical  an- 
terior truncation  from  the  ends  of  the  nasals,  at  little  more  than 
a  right  angle,  and  almost  straight  down  to  the  incisors.  Such 
contour  is  highly  characteristic,  and  reminds  one  of  the  same 
part  in  a  Walrus.  Owing  to  the  slight  supraorbital  process  and 
little  marked  malar  protuberance,  the  orbit  is  not  well  defined; 
no*^  so  well  as  it  is  in  the  other  subfamilies,  excepting  MepMtmce. 
The  zygomatic  arch  rises  abruptly  behind.  Its  upper  border 
is  then  about  straight  and  horizontal  to  the  orbit ;  its  lower 
border  is  a  strong  regular  curve  throughout.  Other  matters  to 
be  noted  in  the  profile  view  are  much  as  in  Lutra. 

From  below:  The  zygomatic  width  is  about  three-^^urths  the 
length;  the  intermastoid  diameter  but  slightly  less.  The  palate 
reaches  back  of  the  molars  about  half-way  to  the  ends  of  the 
pterygoids.  The  emargination  between  these  bones  is  extremely 
wide  and  shallow.  Perhaps  here  only  in  the  family,  the  depth 
of  the  emargination  is  no  greater,  or  less  than,  its  width.  The 
recess  is  sometimes  almost  semicircular,  though  the  sides  are 
usually  more  nearly  parallel,  and  the  end  transverse.  In  detail, 
the  shelf  of  the  palate  is  altogether  irregular.  The  walls  of  the 
glenoid  fossje  are  rarely,  if  ever,  so  much  developed  as  to  lock 


SKULL  AND  TEETH  OP  ENHYDRI8  LUTRIS. 


333 


the  jaw.  I  have  not  witnessed  such  case.  The  back  wall,  in- 
stead of  overlapping  strongly  at  its  outer  angle,  is  regularly 
produced  into  a  border  all  along.  The  inflation  of  the  bullae  is 
about  as  in  Lutra.  The  posterior  foramen  lacerum  is  a  large 
circular  hole.  The  articular  surfaces  of  the  condyles  differ  from 
those  of  Lutra  in  not  being  produced  toward  each  other;  they 
are  simply  oval.  The  great  foramen  is  irregularly  circular 
rather  than  transversely  elliptical,  having  a  strong  median  supe- 
rior as  well  as  inferior  emargination.  In  the  under  jaw,  the 
symphysis  is  shorter  and  apparently  less  solid  than  usual.  I 
find  the  union  incomplete  in  some  middle-aged  specimens.  The 
ramus  of  the  under  jaw  is  deep  and  thick,  and  has  a  decided 
twist,  scarcely  or  not  recognizable  in  other  genera,  by  which  the 
lower  part  is  exflected  posteriorly.  The  coronoid  is  very  broad 
to  the  rounded  end ;  the  hind  border  rises  straight  and  a  little 
obliquely  backward,  so  as  to  overhang  the  condyle ;  the  front 
border  is  strongly,  somewhat  irregularly,  curved.  The  muscu- 
lar impression  on  the  outside  of  the  coronoid  is  deep  and  exten- 
sive, roaching  below  to  the  very  edge  of  the  jaw,  and  forward 
to  a  point  below  the  last  molar. 

The  dentition  of  Enhydris  is  peculiar  in  several  respects.  As 
in  Lutrinw,  but  not  as  in  any  other  subfamily  of  Mmtelidw,  there 
is  the  same  number  of  teeth  in  both  jaws  (16) ;  but  this  equality 
is  brought  about  in  a  curious  way,  loss  of  the  upper  anterior 
premolar  being  rectified,  so  far  as  preserving  equality  of  teeth 
in  the  two  jaws  is  concerned,  by  lack  of  one  pair  of  inferior 
incisors.  Thus  there  are  four  fewer  teeth  than  in  Lutrinw  (|| 
instead  of  jf ).  This  is  the  only  instance  in  the  family  of  less 
than  six  incisors  below,  or  of  an  unequal  number  of  incisors  in 
the  two  jaws.  In  the  presence  of  an  equal  number  of  premolars 
above  and  below,  ^nAv^m  agrees  with  all  the  other  North  Amer- 
ican genera  excepting  Lutra  (^)  and  normal  Conepatus  (|^) ;  in 
the  presence  of  three  premolars  above  and  below,  it  agrees  with 
all  but  Lutra,  Conepatus,  Mu^tela,  and  Gulo  (the  two  last  having 
~);  in  the  presence  of  three  premolars  below,  it  agrees  with  all 
excepting  Mustela  and  Oulo. 

In  thQ  physical  character  of  the  teeth,  as  well  as  in  the  dental 
formula,  Unhydris  is  peculiar  in  its  family.  All  the  grinders  are 
of  a  singularly  massive,  tubercular,  almost  bulbous  character, 
with  no  trenchant  edges,  acute  cusps,  or  even  angular  edges. 
This  is  in  evident  adaptation  to  the  piscivorous  regimen^of  the 
animal.    The  teeth  of  even  the  youngest  specimens^have  an 


334 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


appearance  of  being  greatly  worn,  as  is  not,  however,  the  case. 
In  fact,  there  is  less  difference  with  age  here  than  elsewhere  in 
the  family.  The  back  upper  molar  is  the  largest  tooth  of  all, 
being  as  wide  as,  and  much  longer'than,  the  sectorial  tooth.  It 
is  irregularly  oval  in  shape,  its  long  axis  oblique;  its  face  is 
studded  with  obtuse  tubercles  in  a  manner  scarcely  admitting 
of  detailed Jdescription.  The  back  upper  premolar  is  squarish, 
with  rounded-oflf  angles,  and  presents  outwardly  a  pair  of  large 
obtuse  tubercles,  whereof  the  anterior  one  is  the  larger,  sepa- 
rated by  a  groove  from  an  interior  lower  portion  of  the  tooth 
occupied  by  a  single  large,  blunt,  conical  tubercle.  The  next 
premolar  is  a  blunt  cone  with  a  heel  behind.  The  apterior  pre- 
molar is  entirely  similar,  but  much  smaller,  and  crowded  inward 
from  the  general  axis  of  dentition.  It  has  but  one  fang;  the 
tooth  behind  it  is  two-rooted;  the  sectorial  tooth  roots  by  three 
fangs,  two  external,  one  internal;  the  upper  molar  is  set  in 
three  irregular  shallow  sockets.  The  back  lower  molar  is  trans- 
versely elliptical  rather  than  circular;  its  face  is  smooth  and 
flattened,  with  a  crosswise  central  depression.  The  anterior 
lower  molar  is  completely  and  bluntly  tuberculous,  showing  only 
traces  of  its  likeness  to  the  same  tooth  elsewhere  in  the  family 
in  a  slightly  elevated,  tri-tuberculous,  anterior  part,  and  a  flat- 
tish,  depressed  hind  part.  The  back  lower  premolar  is  an  irreg- 
ular, low,  blunt  cone,  with  a  secondar;,  eminence  part  way  up 
its  inner  aspect.  The  other  premolars  are  successively  smaller 
and  simpler.  The  front  premolar  and  back  molar  are  single- 
rooted;  the  anterior  molar  has  four  roots;  the  nt'xt  tooth  three; 
the  next  two.  The  canines,  both  above  and  below,  are  rather 
small,  comparatively;  the  latter  is  not  much  curved.  Of  the 
superior  incisors,  the  lateral  pair  are  moderately  larger  than  the 
rest,  and  taper  somewhat  toward  the  end  from  an  elbow  near 
the  base.  The  others  are  smaller,  especially  nnrrow,  and  some- 
wha*:  club-shaped;  none  are  obviously  lobate.  Of  the  inferior 
incisors,  it  is  seen  to  be  the  median  pair  that  are  missing,  for 
the  next  pair  (here  the  middle  pair)  have  the  backward  set,  which 
usually  distinguishes  them  in  other  genera.  These  incisors  are 
all  strongly  clubbed  at  their  extremities,  which  are  irregularly 
nicked. 

Ei%tory  of  the  species.     ■■.  v.m    -  «>r  ij  ^ 


The  history  of  this  species  may  be  considered  to  have  begun 
ia  the  middle  of  the  last  century.    C      of  the  earliest  ac- 


HISTORY   OF   THE   SEA   OTTEK.  335 

« 
counts,  if  not  the  first  one  of  any  scientific  pretensions,  was 
that  of  the  celebrated  navigator  Steller,  who  described  the 
animal,  in  1751,  under  the  name  of  Lutra  marina,  a  term  not 
yet  wholly  obsolete,  though  untenable  under  the  rules  of  nomen- 
clature.   This  may  have  been  the  first  introduction  of  the  spe- 
cies to  the  notice  of  civilized,  or  at  least  of  scientific,  men, 
though  the  animal  had,  of  course,  long  been  known  to  the  na- 
tives of  the  countries  along  the  shores  of  which  it  was  found. 
It  was  known  to  the  Kussians  as  the  Sea  or  Kamtschatkan 
Beaver  (Bobr  morskoi  and  Kamtschatskoi  Bobr),  and  to  the 
Kamtschatkans  themselves  as  the  Kalan ;  while  other  barbar- 
ous nations  had  their  own  equivalent  terms,  or  several  such,  to 
indicate  ditl'erent  ages  or  states  of  pelage.    Notwithstanding 
the  accuracy  of  Steller's  account,  which  is  quoted  and  some- 
times consulted  to  the  present  day,  and  in  spite  of  the  numer- 
ous striking  peculiarities  which  the  animal  offers  upon  the 
most  casual  inspection,  the  compilers  of  various  systematic 
treatises  soon  suffered  under  a  confusion  of  ideas,  and  perpe- 
trated blunders  that  were  not  for  many  years  eradicated. 
LinnfBUs  confounded  it  with  the  Saricovienne  or  Brazilian  Ot- 
ter, Lutra  hrasiUensis;  and  the  same  iriistake  was  even  made 
by  several  much  more  accomplished  therologists,  like  Brisson 
and  Pennant.    It  would  be  presumed  that  its  remarkable  fea- 
tures would  have  prevented  this;  instead,  however,  we  find 
that  the  singular  couHtructiou  of  the  hind  feet,  general  aspect, 
and  mode  of  life  have  caused  it  to  be  classed  among  the 
Seals — Pallas  indeed,  an   emiuetit  naturalist  and  observing 
traveller,  calU  it  a  Phom:  and  in  the  latest  publication  upon 
the  snbjt'ct,  Capt.  0.  M.  Sv^amnion's  Marine  Mammals  (1874),  it 
is  lo<;ated  again  in  the  midst  of  Vinnipedia.    It  is,  of  course, 
unueuussary  to  scr  ously  dttscuss  a  procedure  which,  like  this, 
is  indefensible  u\utn  any  but  rhe  most  superficial  and  unscien- 
tiflo  condidomtloiis,  drawn  tVuin  rhe  aquatic  habits  of  the  ani- 
mal, and  the  modificatiouM  required  for  this  end.    Its  relation- 
ships with  the  Pinnii>edH  aiv  entirely  those  of  analogy. 

LinnaBUH  was  right,  according  to  the  terms  of  classification 
of  his  day,  in  placing  it  in  the  genus  Mustela,  a  group  nearly 
equivalent  to  tliPi  family  Mmtelidw  as  now  understood.  Over- 
looking or  igunoring  Steller's  name  of  Lutra  marina,  which j 
though  biDomial  in  the  letter,  was  merely  a  Latin  translation 
of  a  vernacular  term,  and  not  binomial  ui>on  any  system,  he 
called  the  species  Muntela  lutris,  a  name  the  specific  portion  of 


>i 


111 


t  i», 


336 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


which  must  stand,  even  though,  as  already  intimated,  it  in- 
cludes an  altogether  different  animal,  Liitra  brasiliensis ;  for 
the  Stellerian  name  marina  was  not  used  by  any  binomial 
writer  until  after  Linn^us  had  applied  lutris.  Steller's  more 
obviously  appropriate  designation  of  marina  was,  nevertheless, 
adopted  by  Erxleben,  Schreber,  Desmarest,  and  other  distin- 
guished naturalists  of  various  countries,  and  became  generally 
current.  In  consequence,  doubtless,  of  the  very  marked  char- 
acters which  the  species  affords,  only  two  or  three  nominal 
species  have  been  based  upon  it.  The  first  of  these,  instituted 
by  Oken,  the  famous  anatomist  and  naturalist,  is,  in  fact, 
scarcely  a  nominal  species  in  the  usual  acceptation  of  the 
term,  being  merely,  like  the  Mustela  lutris  of  Liunieus,  a  re- 
naming of  the  well-known  animal,  without  intention  of  sep- 
arating from  it  a  second  species.  Oken  called  it  Pusa  orien- 
talis,  in  1816,*  in  the  work  above  cited,  apparently  inventing 
both  the  generic  and  specific  term,  in  this  application  at  least. 
E.-P.  Lesson  is  responsible  for  another  synonym,  having,  in 
1827,  renamed  the  species  Lutra  sMleri,  a  compliment  to  the 
distinguished  navigator  who  gave  us  the  early  account,  but  one 
which  the  rules  of  nomenclature  forbid  us  to  adopt,  however 
we  might  incline  to  such  course.  Lesson  appears  to  have  fan- 
cied that  the  Kamtschatkan  Otter,  Lutra  or  Mustela  lutris  of 
authors,  and  Lutra  marina  of  Erxleben,  was  a  true  Lain  Otter, 
different  from  Steller's  animal,  and,  in  fact,  such  was  partly  the 
case.  We  have  yet  to  consider  a  very  problematical  animal, 
the  Slender  Otter  of  Pennant,  which  became  the  Lutra  gracilis 
of  Shaw,  the  Enydris  gracilis  of  Fischer,  and  is  mentioned 
under  Pnsa  by  Oken,  said  to  be  from  Staaten-Land,  Nord- 
Amerika.  It  is  impossible  to  determine  what  this  is,  owing  to 
the  imperfection  of  the  description,  but  it  was  probably  based 
upon  a  Sea  Otter ;  Pennant  himself  appears  to  have  given  it 
up,  as  it  does  not  figure  in  his  later  work,  "Arctic  Zoology  ". 
Oken  speaks  of  "  Staaten-Land,  hei  yew-York^,  evidently  hav- 
ing what  is  now  known  as  Staten  Island  in  view ;  but  it  is 
safer  to  presume  upon  a  geographical  error  here  than  to  refer 
the  animal  to  Lutra  canadensisj  which,  as  is  well  known,  is  the 
only  Otter  of  the  Eastern  United  States,  where  the  Sea  Otter 
certainly  does  not  occur.  t 

These  specific  names  are  the  only  ones  I  have  come  upon  in 

*  De  Blainville  gives  the  date  of  the  name  as  ltil4,  but  I  have  not  been 
able  to  trace  it  back  of  1816. 


11 


HISTORY   OF   THE   SEA    OTTER. 


337 


searching  the  literature  of  the  species;  but  we  have  still  to 
consider  the  several  designations  resulting  from  their  combina< 
tion  with  various  generic  designations,  some  of  which  sre  old, 
and  belong  to  other  groups,  while  others  were  newly  iD<rented 
for  this  particular  species.    The  former  are,  in  the  order  of 
their  successive  use,  Lutra,  Muatela,  and  ^hoca,  after  Steller, 
LinniBus,  and  Pallas  respectively ;  these  need  not  detain  us.    It 
was  three-quarters  of  a  century,  nearly,  from  its  original  intro- 
duction to  the  system,  before  the  strongly  marked  characters 
of  the  species  were  made  typical  of  a  new  genus — Pusa  of  Okeu, 
already  mentioned,  being  the  first-named  of  this  sort.    Pusa 
had,  however,  already  been  used  by  another  writer  in  connection 
with  a  genus  of  Seals  now  commonly  known  as  Ralichcerusy 
but  in  such  a  peculiar  way  as  to  raise  one  of  those  technical 
questions  of  synonymy  which  authors  interpret  difterc ntly,  in 
absence  of  fixed  rule.    Scopoli  based  his  Pusa  upon  a  figure  of 
Salomon  MUUer's,  recognizable  with  certainty  as  Halichceru8j»nil 
gave  characters  utterly  irreconcilable  with  those  of  this  animal. 
This  is  the  whole  case.    Now  it  may  be  argued  that  there  being 
no  such  animal  whatever  as  Scopoli  says  his  Pusa  was,  his 
name  drops  out  of  the  system,  and  Pusa  of  Oken,  virtually  au 
entirely  new  term,  is  tenable  for  something  else,  namely,  for 
the  Sea  Otter.    On  the  other  hand,  Scopoli's  quotations  show 
exactly  what  he  meant,  in  spite  of  his  inept  diagnosis ;  his  name 
Pusa  therefore  holds,  and  cannot  be  subsequently  used  by  Oken 
in  a  different  connection.    This  is  the  view  I  take  in  this  and 
all  similar  cases,  when  a  name  can  be  identified  by  any  means 
whatsoever,  intrinsic  or  circumstantial,  no  matter  how  wide  of 
the  mark  the  ascribed  characters  may  be.    And  even  if  it  be  not 
the  first  tenable  name  of  a  genus — in  other  words,  if  it  be  only 
a  synonym  of  a  prior  name — it  cannot  be  used  again  as  a  tenable 
name  for  a  different  genus.    This  name  Pusa  thus  disposed  of, 
another  to  be  similarly  treated  is  Latax  of  Gloger.    Though 
applied  by  some  authors,  particularly  J.  E.  Gray  {more  «tto,  with 
little  regard  for  the  obvious  requirements  of  the  case),  to  species 
of  Lutra  proper,  Latax  was  nevertheless  based  by  its  founder 
upon  the  Sea  Otter,  Lutra  marina,  in  the  xiiith  vol.  (1827)  of 
the  N.  Act.  Nat.  Curios,  p.  511  (reprinted  in  the  Isis  for  1829, 
and  in  F^russac's  Bulletin).    This  well-identified  name*  is,  how- 

*  It  is,  however,  doubtful  whether  Latax  oaa  be  considered  aa  eetabliahed 
at  all ;  for  Gloger,  treating  of  the  Sea  Otter  under  the  name  Lutra  marina, 
simply  takes  occasion  to  criticise  the  fitness  of  Oken's  term  Pu«a,  and  to 
suggest  that  Latax  might  be  a  more  apt  designation.  .   ^ 

22  M 


w 


338 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


ever,  an  UDquestionable  synonym  of  Enhydra  of  Fleming,  insti- 
tuted in|1822,  in  that  author's  "Philosophy  of  Zoology",  and 
which,  under  its  various  i'oTmsofEnhydris,  Enydris,  and  Enhydra, 
has  been  most  generally  employed  of  late  years. 

Besides  the  technical  accounts  of  very  numerous  authors 
who  never  saw  the  animal  alive,  there  are  many  other  notices 
of  more  general  interest,  in  unscientific  works,  giving  informa- 
tion upon  its  h{>bits  and  manners,  and  various  figures,  more  or 
less  true  to  life,  are  extant.  The  famous  navigator  Cook 
treats  of  the  Sea  Otter,  and  gives  a  fair  representation.  The 
description  from  Meares's  Voyage,  accurate,  though  nntechnical, 
is  frequently  quoted.  Meuzies's  article  in  the  Philosophical 
Transactions  for  1796  may  be  noted  in  this  connection.  Pen- 
nant, as  usual,  has  an  extended  biographical  notice.  Probably 
the  first  anatomical  article  of  any  note  is  Martins's,  upon  the 
osteology  of  the  species ;  that  of  M.  Gervais  is  specially  im- 
portant. In  late  times,  detached  notices  of  its  habits  have 
Biultiplied,  from  the  pens  of  a  number  of  naturalists  who  have 
visited  the  northwest  coast,  and  largely  contributed  to  a  com- 
plete history.  Capt.  Scammon's  several  articles  above  quoted, 
all  to  much  the  same  eflfect,  are  specially  noteworthy,  though 
certain  points  may  require  to  be  scrutinized  and  checked  by  the 
observations  of  others.  The  author  last  mentioned  also  repro- 
duces the  figure  by  Wolf,  which  accompanied  Dr.  J.  E.  Gray's 
paper  on  the  Mustelidce,  in  Zoological  Society's  Proceedings  for 
1865 ;  this  is  probably  the  most  life-like  representation  of  the 
species  extant.  J.  W.  Audubon's  plate,  t)ubli8hed  in  the  work 
of  his  father  and  Dr.Bachman,is  afinished  drawing  of  unmistak- 
able character,  probably  the  best  one  generally  accessible  to 
American  students.  Neither  Sir  John  Richardson  nor  Audu- 
bon had  met  with  the  species  alive,  and  their  biographies,  the 
principal  ones  which  until  lately  had  appeared  in  works  upon 
American  Mammals,  are  necessarily  at  second  hand.  The  only 
American  biographies,  indeed,  at  all  approaching  completeness 
are  those  of  Mr.  Elliott  and  Capt.  Scammou,  already  cited. 

.;  ^^  The  Sea- Otter  audits  Hunting  J"* 

[By  H.  W.  Elliott.] 

'  "  The  sea-otter,  like  the  fur-seal,  is  another  illustration  of  au 
animal  long  known  and  highly  prized  in  the  commercial  world, 

*  iiaviDg  DO  original  iuforinatiou  to  offer  respectiug  the  commercial  bii»- 
tory,  the  chase,  or  the  habits  of  the  Sea  Otter,  I  extract  an  aooount  which 
there  is  reason  to  believe  to  be  the  roost  complete,  accurate,  and  reliable  at 


"the  sea-otter  and  its  hunting." 


339 


i\ 


yet  respecting  the  habits  and  life  of  which  nothing  definite  has 
been  ascertained  or  published.  The  reason  for  tbis  is  obvious, 
for,  save  the  natives  who  hunt  them,  no  one  properly  qualified 
has  ever  had  an  opportunity  of  seeing  the  sea-otter  so  as  to 
study  it  in  a  state  of  nature,  for,  of  all  the  shy,  sensitive  beasts, 
upon  the  capture  of  which  man  sets  any  value,  this  creature  is 
the  most  keenly  on  the  alert  and  difficult  to  obtain ;  and,  like 
the  fur-seal  in  this  Territory,  it  possesses  the  enhancing  value 
of  being  principally  confined  to  our  country.  A  truthful  ac- 
count of  the  strange,  vigilant  life  of  the  sea-otter,  and  of  the 
hardships  and  perils  encountered  by  its  hunters,  would  surpass 
in  novelty  and  interest  the  most  attractive  work  of  fiction. 

"  When  the  Russian  traders  opened  up  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
they  found  the  natives  commonly  wearing  sea-otter  cloaks, 
which  they  parted  with  at  first  for  a  trifle,  not  placing  any 
especial  value  on  the  animal,  as  they  did  the  hair-seal  and  the 
sea-lion,  the  hair  and  skin  of  which  were  vastly  more  palatable 
and  serviceable  to  them ;  but  the  offers  of  the  greedy  traders 
soon  set  the  natives  after  them.  During  the  first  few  years  the 
numbers  of  these  animals  taken  all  along  the  Aleutian  Chain, 
and  down  the  whole  northwest  coast  as  far  as  Oregon,  were 

uur  Hervice.  The  ioUowiug  uiatter  coustitutes  Chap.  V,  pp.  54-62,  of^Mr. 
Henry  W.  Elliott's  "  Report  on  the  Condition  of  Affairs  in  the  Territory  of 
Alaska",  8vo,  Washington,  Government  Printing  Office,  1875.  Mr.  Elliott 
has  proven  a  trustworthy  observer  and  zealous  naturalist,  and  had  excellent 
opportunities  of  studying  the  whole  subject  during  his  long  residence  in 
Alaska  as  special  agent  of  the  Treasury  Department,  charged  with  the  Gov- 
ernment interests  in  the  Fur  Seal  Fisheries. 

A  quotation  from  Sir  John  Richardson  (Fn.  Bor.-Am.  p.  59),  touching  the 
early  aspects  of  the  Sea  Otter  business,  will  not  be  here  out  of  place : — 

"  The  fur  of  the  Sea  Otter  being  very  handsome,  was  much  esteemed  by 
the  Chinese,  and,  nntil  the  market  at  Canton  was  overstocked,  prime  skins 
brought  extraordinarily  high  prices.  The  trade  for  a  considerable  period 
was  in  the  hands  of  the  Russians,  who  soon  after  the  discovery  of  the  north- 
west coast  of  America,  by  Beering  [sic-]  and  Tschirikow,  sent  mercantile 
expeditions  hither.  Captain  Cook's  third  voyage  drew  the  attention  of 
English  speculators  to  that  quarter,  and  vessels  were  freighted  both  by 
private  adventurers  and  the  India  Company,  for  the  purpose  of  collecting 
furs  and  conveying  them  to  Canton.  Pennant,  alluding  to  this  traffic,  says, 
'  What  a  profitable  trade  (with  China)  might  not  a  colony  carry  on,  were  it 
possible  to  penetrate  to  that  part  of  America  by  means  of  rivers  and  lakes.' 
The  event  that  Pennant  wished  for  soon  took  place.  Sir  Alexander  Mac- 
kenzie having  traversed  the  continent  of  America,  and  gained  the  coast  of 
the  Pacific,  his  partners  in  trade  followed  up  bis  success,  by  establishing  fur 
posts  in  New  Caledonia,  and  a  direct  commerce  with  China;  bat  the  influx 
of  furs  into  that  market  soon  reduced  their  price." 


340 


NORTH    AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


very  great,  and  compared  with  what  are  now  captured  seem 
perfectly  fabulous;  for  instance,  when  the  Prybilov  Islands  were 
first  discovered,  two  sailors,  Lukannon  and  Ka^ekov,  killed  at 
St.  Paul's  Island,  in  the  first  year  of  occupation,  jftre  thousand, 
the  next  year  they  got  less  than  a  thousand,  and  in  six  years 
after  not  a  single  sea-otter  appeared,  and  none  have  appeared 
since.  When  Shellikov's  party  first  visited  Cook's  Inlet,  they 
secured  three  thousand;  during  the  second  year,  two  thousand ; 
in  the  third,  only  eight  hundred;  the  season  following  they 
obtained  six  hundred;  and  finally,  in  1812,  less  than  a  hundred, 
and  since  then  not  a  tenth  of  that  number.  The  first  visit  made 
by  the  Bussians  to  the  Gulf  of  Yahkutat,  in  1794,  two  thousand 
sea-otters  were  taken,  but  they  diminished  so  rapidly  that  in 
1799  less  than  three  hundred  were  taken.  In  1798  a  large  party 
of  Bussians  and  Aleuts  captured  in  Sitka  Sound  and  neighbor- 
hood twelve  hundred  skins,  besides  those  for  which  they  traded 
with  the  natives  there,  f  !y  as  many  morej  and  in  the  spring 
of  1800  a  few  America  ad  English  vessels  came  into  Sitka 
Sound,  anchored  off  the  small  Bussian  settlement  there,  and 
traded  with  the  natives  for  over  two  thousand  skins,  getting 
the  trade  of  the  Indians  by  giving  firearms  and  powder,  ball, 
&c.,  which  the  Bussians  did  not  dare  to  do,  living  then,  as  they 
were,  in  the  country.  In  one  of  the  early  years  of  the  Bussian 
American  Company,  1804,  Baranov  went  to  the  Okotsk  from 
Alaska  with  fifteen  thousand  sea-otter  skins,  that  were  worth 
as  much  then  as  they  are  now,  viz,  fully  $1,000,000. 

"  The  result  of  this  warfare  upon  the  sea-otters,  with  ten 
hunters  then  where  there  is  one  to-day,  was  not  long  delayed. 
Everywhere  throughout  the  whole  coast-line  frequented  by 
them  the  diminution  set  in,  and  it  became  difficult  to  get  to 
places  where  a  thousand  have  been  as  easily  obtained  as  twenty- 
five  or  thirty.  A  Bussian  chronicler  says :  '  The  numbers  of 
several  kinds  of  animals  are  growing  very  much  less  in  the 
present  as  compared  with  past  times ;  for  instance  the  Company 
here  (Ounalashka)  regularly  killed  more  than  a  thousand  sea- 
otters  annually ;  now  (1835)  from  seventy  to  a  hundred  and 
fifty  are  taken ;  and  there  was  a  time,  in  1826,  when  the  returns 
from  the  whole  Ounalashka  district  (the  Aleutian  Islands)  were 
only  fifteen  sMns.^ 

"  It  is  also  a  fact  coincident  with  this  diminution  of  sea- 
otters,  that  the  population  of  the  Aleutian  Islands  fell  off  almost 
in  the  same  proportion.    The  Bussians  regarded  the]  lives  of 


"  THE   SEA-OTTER   AND   ITS    HUNTING." 


341 


these  people  as  tbey  did  those  of  dogs,  and  treated  them  accord- 
ingly ;  they  took,  under  Baranov  and  his  subordinates,  hunting- 
parties  of  five  hundred  to  a  thousand  picked  Aleuts,  eleven  or 
twelve  hundred  miles  to  the  eastward  of  their  homes,  in  skin- 
baidars  and  bidarkies,  or  kyacks,  traversing  one  of  the  wildest 
and  roughest  of  coasts,  and  used  them  not  only  for  the  severe 
drudgery  of  otter-hunting,  but  to  fight  the  Koloshians  and 
other  savages  all  the  way  up  and  down  the  coast ;  this  soon 
destroyed  them,  and  few  ever  got  back  alive. 

'^  When  the  Territory  came  in  our  possession,  the  Bussians 
were  taking  between  four  and  five  hundred  sea-otters  from  the 
Aleutian  Islands  and  south  of  the  peninsula  of  Alaska,  with 
perhaps  a  hundred  and  fifty  more  from  Kenai,  Yahkutat,  and 
the  Sitkan  district ;  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company  and  other  trad- 
ers getting  about  two  hundred  more  from  the  coast  of  Queen 
Charlotte's  and  Vancouver's  Islauds,  and  oflf  Gray's  Harbor, 
Washington  Territory. 

**  Now,  during  the  last  season,  1873,  instead  of  less  than  seven 
hundred  skins,  as  obtained  by  the  Bussians,  our  traders  secured 
not  much  less  than  four  thousand  skins.  This  immense  differ- 
ence is  not  due  to  the  fact  of  there  being  a  proportionate 
increase  of  sea-otters,  but  to  the  organization  of  hunting-par- 
ties in  the  same  spirit  and  fashion,  as  in  the  early  days  above 
mentioned.  The  keen  competition  of  our  traders  will  ruin  the 
business  in  a  comparatively  short  time  if  some  action  is  not 
taken  by  the  Government;  and  to  the  credit  of  these  traders 
let  it  be  said,  that  while  they  cannot  desist,  for  if  they  do  others 
will  step  in  and  profit  at  their  expense,  yet  they  are  anxious 
that  some  prohibition  should  be  laid  upon  the  business.  This 
can  be  easily  done,  and  in  such  manner  as  to  perpetuate  the  sea- 
otter,  not  only  for  themselves,  but  for  the  natives,  who  are 
dependent  upon  its  hunting  for  a  living  which  makes  them 
superior  to  savages. 

"  Over  two-thirds  of  all  the  sea  otters  taken  in  Alaska  are 
secured  in  two  small  areas  of  water,  little  rocky  islets  and  reefs 
around  the  island  of  Saanach  and  the  Chernobours,  which 
proves  that  these  animals,  in  spite  of  the  incessant  hunting  all* 
the  year  round  on  this  ground,  seem  to  have  some  particular 
preference  for  it  to  the  practical  exclusion  of  nearly  all  the  rest 
of  the  coast  in  the  Territory.  This  may  be  due  to  its  better 
adaptation  as  a  breeding-ground.  It  is  also  noteworthy  that 
all  the  sea-otters  taken  below*the  Straits  of  Fuca  are  shot  by 


II' ," 


342 


NORTH   AMERICAN    MUSTELID^. 


the  Indians  and  white  hunters  oflf  the  beach  in  the  surf  at  Gray's 
Harbor,  a  stretch  of  less  than  twenty  miles ;  here  some  fifty  to 
a  hundred  are  taken  every  year,  while  not  half  that  number 
can  be  obtained  from  all  the  rest  of  the  Washington  and  Oregon 
coast-line;  there  is  nothing  in  the  external  appearance  of  this 
reach  to  cause  its  selection  by  the  sea-otters,  except  perhaps 
that  it  may  be  a  little  less  rocky. 

"As  matters  are  now  conducted  by  the  hunting-parties,  the 
sea-otters  at  Saauach  and  the  Ghernobours  do  not  have  a  day's 
rest  during  the  whole  jear.  Parties  relieve  each  other  in  succes- 
sion, and  a  continuous  warfare  is  maintained.  This  persistence 
is  stimulated  by  the  traders,  and  is  rendered  still  more  deadly 
to  the  sea-otter  by  the  use  of  rifles  of  the  best  make,  which,  in 
the  hands  of  the  young  and  ambitious  natives,  in  spite  of  the 
warnings  of  the  old  men,  must  result  in  the  extermination  of 
these  animals,  as  no  authority  exists  in  the  laud  to  prevent  it. 
These  same  old  men,  in  order  to  successfully  compete  with  their 
rivals,  have  to  drop  their  bone-spears  and  arrows,  and  take  up 
fire-arms  in  self-defense.  So  the  bad  work  goes  on  rapidly, 
though  a  majority  of  the  natives  and  the  traders  deprecate  it. 
With  a  view  to  check  this  evil  and  to  perpetuate  the  life  of  the 
sea-otter  in  the  Territory,  I  offer  the  following  suggestions  to 
the  Department : 

"  1st.  Prohibit  the  use  of  firearms  of  any  description  in  the 
hunting  of  the  sea-otter  in  the  Territory  of  Alaska. 

"2d.  Make  it  unlawful  for  any  party  or  parties  to  hunt  this 
animal  during  the  months  of  June,  July,  and  August,  fixing  a 
suitable  penalty,  fine,  or  punishment. 

"  The  first  proposition  gives  the  sea-otter  a  chance  to  live ; 
and,  with  the  second,  may  possibly  promote  an  increase  in  the 
number  of  this  valuable  animal. 

"The  enforcement  by  the  Government  of  this  prohibition 
will  not  be  difficult,  as  it  is  desired  by  a  great  majority  of  the 
natives  and  all  the  traders  having  any  real  Interest  in  the  per- 
petuation of  the  business.  A  good  deputy  attached  to  the 
customs,  whose  salary  and  expenses  might  be  more  than  paid 
by  a  trifling  tax  on  each  otter-skin,  say  $1,  could,  if  provided 
with  a  sound  whale-boat,  make  his  headquarters  at  Saanach 
and  Belcovski  and  carry  the  law  into  effect.  The  trade  of  the 
Kodiak  district  centers  at  the  village  of  that  name,  and  the 
presence  of  the  collector  or  his  deputy  will  exert  authority,  and 
cause  the  old  native  hunters  'and  many  of  the  younger  who 


HABITS    OF   THE    SEA   OTTER. 


343 


have  reflectiou  to  complj  with  his  demands.  The  collector 
theu  being  provided  with  the  small  revenue-steamer  spoken  of 
in  my  chapter  upon  the  duty  of  the  Government  toward  the 
Territory,  can  insure  compliance  with  the  instructions  given 
him,  and  punish  violations. 

"This  proposed  action  on  the  part  of  the  Government  is 
urgent  and  humane,  for  upon  the  successful  huntijig  of  the 
sea-otter  some  five  thousand  christianized  nati\  es  are  entirely 
dependent  for  the  means  to  live  in  a  condition  superior  to  bar- 
barism. 

^^  The  habits  of  the  sea-otter.    {Enhydra  marina.) 

"I  have  had  a  number  of  interesting  interviews  with  several 
very  intelligent  traders,  and  an  English  hunter  who  had  spent 
an  entire  winter  on  Saanach  Island,  shooting  sea-otters,  and 
enduring,  while  there,  bitter  privation  and  hardship;  and 
chiefly  from  their  accounts,  aided  by  my  own  observation,  I 
submit  the  following: 

^^Saanach  Island,  Islets,  and  Eeefs,  is  the  great  sea-otter 
ground  of  this  country.  The  island  itself  is  small,  with  a  coast- 
line circuit  of  about  eighteen  miles.  Spots  of  sand  beach  are 
found  here  and  there,  but  the  major  portion  of  it  is  composed 
of  enormous  water-worn  bowlders  piled  up  by  the  surf.  The 
interior  is  low  and  rolling,  with  a  ridge  rising  into  three  hills, 
the  middle  one  some  800  feet  in  height.  There  is  no  timber 
on  it,  but  abundant  grass,  moss,  &c.,  with  a  score  of  little 
fresh- water  lakes,  in  which  multitudes  of  ducks  and  geese  are 
found  every  spring  and  fall.  The  natives  do  not  live  upon  the 
island,  because  the  making  of  fires  and  scattering  of  food- 
refuse  alarms  the  otters,  driving  them  off  to  sea ;  so  that  it  is 
only  camped  upon,  and  fires  are  never  built  unless  the  wind  is 
from  the  southward,  for  no  sea-otters  are  ever  found  to  be 
uorth  of  the  island.  The  sufferings  to  which  the  native  hunt- 
ers subject  themselves  every  winter  on  this  island,  going  for 
many  weeks  without  fires,  even  for  cooking,  with  the  ther- 
mometer down  to  zero,  in  a  northerly  gale  of  wind,  is  better 
imagined  than  described. 

'•  To  the  southward  and  westward,  and  stretching  directly  out 
to  sea,  some  five  to  eight  miles  from  Saanach  Island,  is  a  suc- 
cession of  small  islets,  bare,  most  of  them,  at  low  water,  but 
with  numerous  reefs  and  rocky  shoals,  beds  of  kelp,  &c.  This 
is  the  great  sea-otter  ground  of  Alaska,  together  with  the 


'^i 


344 


NORTH    AMERICAN   MUSTELID^.. 


CberDobour  Islets,  to  the  eastward  about  thirty  wiles,  which 
are  similar  to  it.  The  sea-otter  rarely  lands  upon  the  main 
island,  bat  it  is  found  just  out  of  water  on  the  reef-rocks  and 
islets  above  mentioned,  in  certain  seasons,  and  at  a  little  dis- 
tance at  sea  during  calm  and  pleasant  weather.  The  adult 
sea-otter  is  an  animal  that  will  measure  from  three  and  a  half 
to  four  feet  at  most,  from  nose  to  tip  of  tail,  which  is  short  and 
stumpy.  The  general  contour  of  the  body  is  closely  like  that 
of  the  beaver,  with  the  skin  lying  in  loose  folds,  so  that  when 
taken  hold  of  in  lifting  the  body  out  from  the  water,  it  is  as 
slack  and  draws  up  like  the  hide  on  the  nape  of  a  young  dog. 
This  skin,  which  is  taken  from  the  body  with  but  one  cut  made 
in  it  at  the  posteriors,  is  turned  inside  out,  and  air-dried,  and 
stretched,  so  that  it  then  gives  the  erroneous  impression  of  an 
animal  at  least  six  feet  in  length,  with  girth  and  shape  of  a 
weasel  or  mink.  There  is  no  sexual  dissimilarity  in  color  or 
size,  and  both  inanifest  the  same  intense  shyness  and  aversion 
to  man,  coupled  with  the  greatest  solicitude  for  their  young, 
which  they  bring  into  existence  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  for 
the  natives  get  young  pups  every  month  in  the  year.  As  the 
natives  have  never  caught  the  mothers  bringing  forth  their  off- 
spnug  on  the  rocks,  they  are  disposed  to  believe  that  the  birth 
takes  place  on  kelp-beds,  in  pleasant  or  not  over-rough  weather. 
The  female  has  a  single  pup,  born  about  fifteen  inches  in  length, 
and  provided  during  the  first  mouth  or  two  with  a  coat  of  coarse, 
brownish,  grizzled  fur,  head  and  nape  grizzled,  grayish,  rufous 
white,  with  the  roots  of  the  hair  growing  darker  toward  the 
skin.  The  feet,  as  in  the  adult,  are  very  short,  webbed,  with 
nails  like  a  dog,  fore-paws  exceedingly  feeble  and  small,  all 
covered  with  a  short,  fine,  dark,  bister-brown  hair  or  fur.  From 
this  poor  condition  of  fur  they  improve  as  they  grow  older, 
shading  darker,  finer,  thicker,  and  softer,  and  by  the  time  they 
are  two  years  of  age  they  are  '  prime,'  though  the  animal  is 
not  full-grown  until  its  fourth  or  fifth  year.  The  white  nose 
and  mustache  of  the  nup  are  not  changed  in  the  adult.  The 
whiskers  are  white,  short,  and  fine.  The  female  has  two  teats, 
resembling  those  of  a  cat,  placed  between  the  hind  limbs  on 
the  abdomen,  and  no  signs  of  more ;  the  pup  sucks  a  year  at 
least,  and  longer  if  its  mother  has  no  other;  the  mother 
lies  upon  her  back  in  the  water  or  upon  the  rooks,  as  the  case 
may  be,  and  when  she  is  surprised,  she  protects  her  young  by 
clasping  it  in  her  fore-paws  and  turning  her  back  to  the  danger 


HABITS  OF  THE  SEA  OTTER. 


345 


they  sbed  their  fur  just  as  the  hair  of  inan  grows  and  fdlls  oat; 
the  reason  is  evident,  for  they  must  be  ready  for  the  water  at 
all  times. 

"  The  sea  otter  mother  sleeps  in  the  water  on  her  back,  with 
her  yonng  clasped  between  her  fore-paws.  The  pup  cannot  lite 
without  its  mother,  though  frequent  attempts  have  been  made 
by  the  natives  to  raise  them,  as  they  often  capture  them  alive, 
but,  like  some  other  species  of  wild  animals,  it  seems  to  be  so 
deeply  imbued  with  fear  of  man  that  it  invariably  dies  from 
self-imposed  starvation. 

'^  Their  food,  as  might  be  inferred  from  the  flat  molars  of 
dentition,  is  almost  entirely  composed  of  cl.ims,  muscles,  and 
sea-urchins,  of  which  they  are  very  fond,  and  which  they  break 
by  striking  the  shells  together,  held  in  each  fore-paw,  sucking 
out  the  contents  as  they  are  fractured  by  these  efforts  ;  they 
also  undoubtedly  eat  crabs,  and  the  juicy  tender  fronds  of  kelp 
or  sea- weed,  and  fish. 

'*  They  are  not  polygamous,  and  more  than  an  individual  is 
seldom  seen  at  a  time  when  out  at  sea.  The  tiesh  is  very  un- 
palatable, highly  charged  with  a  rank  smell  and  flavor. 

"  They  are  playful,  it  would  seem,  for  I  am  assured  by  several 
old  hunters  that  they  hav^e  watched  the  sea-otter  for  half  an 
hour  as  it  lay  upon  its  back  in  the  water  and  tossed  a  piece  of 
sea- weed  up  in  the  air  from  paw  to  paw,  apparently  taking  great 
delight  in  catching  it  before  it  could  fall  into  the  water.  It  will 
also  play  with  its  young  for  hours. 

'^  The  quick  hearing  and  acute  smell  possessed  by  the  sea- 
otter  are  not  equaled  by  any  other  creatures  in  the  Territory. 
They  will  take  alarm  and  leave  from  the  effects  of  a  small  fire, 
four  or  five  miles  to  the  windward  of  them ;  and  the  footstep 
of  man  must  be  washed  by  many  tides  before  its  trace  ceases 
to  alarm  the  animal  and  drive  it  from  landing  there  should  it 
approach  for  that  purpose. 

"  There  are  four  principal  methods  of  capturing  the  sea-otter, 
viz,  by  surf'ShooUngf  by  spearingsnrrounds,  by  cltthhing,  and  by 
net8. 

*'  The  surf-shooting  is  the  common  method,  but  has  only  been 
in  vogue  among  the  natives  a  short  time.  The  young  men  have 
nearly  all  been  supplied  with  rifles,  with  whioh  they  patrol  the 
shores  of  the  island  and  inlets,  and  whenever  a  sea-otter's  head 
is  seen  in  the  surf,  a  thousand  yards  out  even,  they  fire,  the 
great  distance  and  the  noise  of  the  surf  preventing  the  sea- 


346 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELIDiE. 


Otter  from  takiug  alarm  until  it  is  bit;  and  in  nine  times  out 
of  ten,  when  it  is  bit,  in  the  bead,  which  is  all  t:  "t  is  exposed, 
the  shot  is  fatal,  and  the  hunter  waits  until  the  surf  brings  bis 
quarry  in,  if  it  is  too  rough  or  him  to  venture  out  in  his 
♦  bidarkie.'  This  shooting  is  kept  up  now  the  whole  year 
round. 

"The  spearingsurround  is  the  orthodox  native  system  of  cap- 
ture, and  reflects  the  highest  credit  upon  them  as  bold,  hardy 
watermen.  A  party  of  fifteen  or  twenty  bidarkies,  with  two 
men  in  each,  as  a  rule,  all  under  the  control  of  a  cbief  elected 
by  common  consent,  start  out  in  pleasant  weather,  or  when  it 
is  not  too  rough,  and  spread  themselves  out  in  a  long  line, 
slowly  paddling  over  the  waters  where  sea-otters  are  most 
usually  found.  When  any  one  of  them  discovers  an  otter, 
asleep,  most  likely,  in  the  water,  he  snakes  a  quiet  signal,  and 
there  is  not  a  word  spoken  or  a  paddle  splashed  while  they  are 
on  ilio  hunt,  lie  darts  toward  tbe  animal,  but  generally  the 
alarm  is  taken  by  the  sensitive  object,  which  instantly  dives 
before  the  Aleut  can  get  near  enough  to  throw  his  spear.  The 
hunter,  however,  keeps  right  on,  and  stops  his  canoe  directly 
over  the  spot  where  tlie  otter  disappeared.  The  others,  tak- 
ing note  of  the  position,  all  deploy  and  scatter  in  a  circle  of 
half  a  mile  wide  around  the  mark  of  departure  thus  made,  and 
patiently  wait  for  the  reappearance  of  the  otter,  which  must 
take  place  within  fifteen  or  thirty  minutes,  for  breath  ;  and  as 
soon  as  this  happens  the  nearest  one  to  it  darts  forward  in  the 
same  manner  as  his  predecessor,  when  <all  hands  shout  and 
throw  tlieir  spears,  to  uiake  the  animal  dive  again  as  quickly 
as  possible,  thus  giving  it  scarcely  an  instant  to  recover  itself. 
A  sentry  is  placed  over  its  second  diving- wake  as  be'  ~^,  and 
the  circle  is  drawn  anew ;  and  the  surprise  is  often  retreated, 
sometimes  for  two  or  three  hours,  until  the  sea-otter,  from 
interrupted  respiration,  becomes  so  tilled  with  ai^  or  gases 
that  he  cannot  sink,  and  becomes  at  once  an  easy  victim. 

"  The  coolness  with  which  these  Aleuts  will  go  far  out  to 
sea  iu  their  cockleshell  kyacks,  and  risk  the  Jipproaoh  of 
gales  that  are  as  apt  to  be  against  them  as  not,  with  a  mere 
handful  of  food  and  less  water,  is  remarkable.  They  are  cer- 
tainly as  hardy  a  set  of  hunters,  patient  and  energetic,  as  can 
be  found  in  the  world. 

"  The  clubbing  is  only  done  in  the  winter-season,  and  then 
at  infrequent  intervals,  which  occur  when  tremendous  gales  of 


HABITS    OF    THE    SEA   OTTER. 


347 


wind  frotti  the  northward,  sweeping  down  over  Saauach,  have 
about  blown  themselves  out.  The  natives,  the  very  boldest  of 
tUem,  set  out  from  Saanach,  au^  skud  down  on  the  tail  of  the 
gale  to  the  far  outlying  rocks,  just  sticking  out  above  surf- 
wash,  where  they  creep  up  from  the  leeward  to  the  sea-otters 
found  there  at  such  times,  with  their  heads  stuck  into  the  beds 
of  kelp  to  avoid  the  wind.  The  noise  of  the  gaio  is  greater 
than  that  made  by  the  stealthy  movements  of  the  hunters, 
who,  armed  each  with  a  short,  heavy  wooden  club,  dispatch 
the  animals,  one  after  another,  without  alarming  the  whole 
body,  and  in  this  way  two  Aleuts,  brothers,  were  known  to 
have  slain  seventy-eight  in  less  than  an  hour  and  a  half. 

"  There  is  no  driving  these  animals  out  upon  land.  They 
are  fierce  and  courageous,  an«l  when  surprised  by  a  man  be- 
tween themselves  and  the  water,  they  will  make  for  the  sea, 
straight,  without  any  regard  for  the  hunter,  their  progress,  by 
a  succession  of  short  leaps,  being  very  rapid  for  a  small  dis- 
tance. The  greatest  care  is  taken  by  the  seaotter  hunters  on 
Saanack.  Tliey  have  lived  in  the  dead  of  a  severe  winter  six 
weeks  at  a  time  without  kindling  a  fire,  and  with  certain 
winds  they  never  light  one.  They  do  not  sujoke,  nor  do  they 
scatter  or  empty  food-refuse  on  the  beaches.  Oi  all  this  I  am 
assured  by  one  who  is  perhaps  the  first  white  eye-witness  of 
this  winter-hunting,  as  he  lived  on  the  island  through  that  of 
1872-'73,  and  could  not  be  induced  to  repeat  it. 

"The  hunting  by  use  of  nets  calls  up  the  strange  dissimilar- 
ity existing  now,  as  it  has  in  all  time  past,  between  the  prac- 
tice of  the  Atka  and  xVttou  Aleuts  and  that  of  those  of  Ouna- 
lashka  and  the  eastward,  as  given  above.  These  people  cap- 
ture the  sea-otter  in  nets,  from  10  to  18  feet  h)ng  and  (5  to  1(> 
feet  wide,  with  coarse  meshes  made  nowadays  of  twine,  but 
formerly  of  sinew. 

*' On  the  kelp-beds  these  nets  are  spread  out,  and  the  na- 
tives withdraw  and  watch.  The  otters  come  to  sleep  or  rest 
on  those  places,  and  get  entangled  in  the  meshes  of  the  net.s, 
seeming  to  make  little  or  no  eft'ort  to  escape,  paralyzed  as  it 
were  by  fear,  and  fall  in  this  way  easily  into  the  hands  of  the 
trappers,  who  tell  me  that  they  have  caught  Jis  many  as  six  at 
one  time  in  one  of  these  small  nets,  and  fre«iuently  get  three. 
They  also  watch  for  surf-holes  or  caves  in  the  MulVs,  and, 
when  one  is  found  to  which  a  sea-otter  is  in  the  liabit  of  re- 


u 


348 


NORTH   AMERICAN   MUSTELID^. 


sorting,  they  set  tbis  net  by  spreading  it  over  the  entrance, 
and  usually  capture  the  animal. 

"  No  injury  whatever  is  done  to  these  frail  nets  by  the  sea- 
otters,  strong  animals  as  they  are ;  only  stray  sea-lions  destroy 
them.  The  Atka  people  have  never  been  known  to  hunt  sea- 
otters  without  nets,  while  the  people  of  Ounalashka  and  the 
eastward  have  never  been  known  to  use  them.  The  salt-water 
and  kelp  seem  to  act  as  a  disinfectant  to  the  net,  so  that  the 
smell  of  it  does  not  repel  or  alarm  the  shy  animal." 


U.  S.  Geological  Survey. 


MustelidsB.    PLATE  I. 


44iilo  IiiNt'iiot.    <H«-i\ucfil.) 


•M 


U.  S.  Geological  Survey. 


MnsteUdsB.   PLATE  II. 


if 


ITIiistela  peiinnnti.    (Nnt.  nlze.) 


U.  8.  Geolojiical  Snrvey. 


MiuteUdflB.    PLATE  III. 


:  I  ii 


MnHteln  martmi.    (Xat.  size.) 


u. 


U.  8.  Geological  Survey. 


MustelidsB.    PLATE  IV. 


1 1' 


Sin  itela  f eina,    (Kat.  size.) 


:m 


^V''" 


U.  8.  Oeologieiil  Survey, 


MttitelidsB.   PLATE  V. 


MiiMtela  aiiierlcHiia.    (Nat.  size.) 


I 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


4fj 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


2.0 


Ki 


114  0 


1.8 


U    11.6 


^y^"^"^^ 


ki^r- 


-m 


m 


U.  S.  Gteological  Survey. 


MusteUdse.   PLATE  VI. 


PatoriHS  erininen. 
PntorluM  vnlnnris 


.    Figa  1.  3,  5,  fi.   )  ^^^  ^i,,  ) 

I.  FiRB.  9, 4.       y 


:  m 


#; 


•^v. 


u.  s 


.';?%»- 


U.  S.  Geolojjical  Survey. 


MustelidsB.   PLATE  VII. 


•*utoriii«  nlffrlpett.    (Nat.  size.) 


u. 


■-« 


,^  .„-.•"<.„, 


!%■ 


U.  S.  Geological  Survey. 


MustelidsB.   PLAIE  VIII. 


Fntorini*  t'oetldn*.    (Nat.  size.) 


ifif*,. 


,v-  i 


U.  S.  Geological  Survey. 


MusteUdsB.    PLATE  IX. 


Hntorlus  viaon.    (Nat.  size.) 


u, 


'•'1^;; 


^■•^i'- 


M 


U.  8.  Geological  Survey. 


MniteUdflB    PLATE  Z. 


Mepliitls  mepblticn.    (Nat.  size) 


u 


U.  8.  Oeological  Survey. 


MustelidsB.    PLATE  XI. 


Mei»hltl«  meplil  (Nat.  size.) 


\ 


U.  8.  Geological  Survey. 


Mustelids.   PLATE  XII. 


Mephitis  (Spllovale)  pntorlas.    (8kin«,  greatly  redaoed.) 


u 


4  ' 


:;«?■%; 


U.  S.  Geol()}!ical  Survey. 


MnstelidsB.   PLATE  XIII. 


m 

Till 


Mephitis  (M|illovMle)  putvrlNS,    (Nat.  size.) 


u. 


^B^ 


U.  S.  Qeological  Snrvey. 


HnstelidsD.   PLATE  XIV. 


Mephitis  (Spllovalc)  pntorlan.    (Nat.  size.) 


U.  8.  Geological  Survey. 


Mustelids.   PLATE  XV. 


Conepatns  mapurlto.    <Xat.  size.) 


i-^'ViiS^*- 


U.  S.  Geological  Siirver. 


MusteUdsB.   PLATE  XYI. 


'I'Hxiden  Biuerlcnua.    (UvUuued.) 


U.  S.  Geological  .Sntvey, 


Mustelidse.   PLATE  XVII. 


I^uira  canadensiM.    (Nat.  size.) 


U.  8.  Oi'olonicttl  Survey. 


MuBtelidee.    PLATE  XVIII. 


l^ntra  valKaris*    <Nat.  size.) 


U.  S.  Geolofjical  Survey. 


MustelidsB.   PLATE  XIX. 


'^^^^ 

iffi^ 

mm 

^^ 

"^ 

r^'^'-— ji^'^g'I'll  iiin 

"^^ 

^1 

^^^ 

^W^ 

«^3 

^^ 

^mi 

^^p'^lR 

^S9 

::     ^**^,-^^ 

m^jr 

'■  ■-■-'  ■■  ■■  • 

Enhydrls  Intrfs,    (Keduoed.) 


U.  S.  Geological  Survey. 


Mustelidse.    PLATE  XX. 


Enbydrla  IntrlH.    (Upper  fig.  reduced.    Lower  &g.  nat.  size.) 


